The Other End: Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel Virginia Beach, VA, July 2001 After our visit to Newport, RI, Rachelle and I decided to visit Virginia Beach to see the Cape Henry Lighthouses. As we drove to Virginia Beach from Newport, we took US 13 South along the Eastern Virginia shore; so that, we could drive over and through the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel. The entire bridge-tunnel is 23 miles long, consisting of 12 miles of low-level trestle, two one-mile-long tunnels, two bridges, two miles of causeway, four man made islands and 5-1/2 miles of approach roads. The current northbound lanes of traffic were built in 42 months at a cost of 200 million dollars. They were opened to traffic on April 15, 1964. On April 19, 1999 after 46 months of construction and a cost of 250 million dollars, the current southbound lanes were opened to traffic. This shot was taken from the south end of one of the tunnels, looking back at the other entrance to the tunnel. (via Photos from Robby Edwards)