Chesapeake Bay/Bridge Tunnel...security????

[December99]

Just wondering if anyone knows how the security/car checking is at the Bay/Bridge Tunnel. I keep hearing about other tunnels and subways....just wondering about this one....would make sense to make sure it's secure too!!!! I really really want to try and get the guts up to finally go over it in December....but I just don't know - I'm a HUGE bridge chicken. I can handle the Hampton Tunnel cause it's underground and you can't see anything...the part that is freaking to me is seeing all that water - I have a better time riding than driving over bridges....

 

[Pin Wizard]

I remember crossing that thing as a kid. I also remember covering my head with my sweatshirt as we went over the bridges.

 

[December99]

I've always wanted to do it and almost did 3 years ago when dd and I were out there visiting but it was during OpFest and was just NOT a good time (the ships were coming in on the day we were gonna do it and the traffic was suppose to be nuts so we changed our minds). I've been out there like 34 times and have never done it.

 

[Luckymommyx2]

I don't know why I haven't thought of that question, maybe because I'm a big chicken too and I try to avoid a major bridge/tunnel if I can. Maybe someone who travels it more can shed some light on it. I'm anxious to know now.

 

[luv2nascar]

My parents live about 15 minutes on the other side of the bridge
so it is really the quickest way to their house
and nobody want to add another 90 minutes onto a 6- 6 1/2 hr drive
so I have been over it dozens of times in the last 10 years
the last time I was over it was Thanksgiving 2002
I have to say prior to 9/11 there were only two police patroling it at any given time usually
we saw dozens of police cars and under cover police cars
My mom has told me VA considers it a target so I think they are trying to protect it
I don't know if they inspect trucks but our car was not inspected
good luck

 

[Spirit Feather]

We have been over it/through it numerous times--lived on the Eastern Shore for 3 years and in Va Beach for an additional 5 years.

First, let me say if you ever have a chance to go on it-DO IT! It is truely an engineering marvel. Just take a deep breath, and go for it. It is not that bad.

Second, I have not been over it in the last year, but did not notice any extra security before.

 

[Breezy_Carol]

We travel across it each summer to go to the North Carolina beach. I didn't notice any difference the summer of 2002 compared to other summers. I am not a big bridge or tunnel fan, but the bridges are low to the water and the tunnels are short. We always stop at the pier for lunch. I never thought of it as a terrorist target before this mention.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I never had really heard of this bridge/tunnnel before. Just looked at it on the web, really an engineering marvel. Enjoy, Chris.

 

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

I go down to Hampton Roads (Norfolk/VA Beach/Chesapeake/Newport News area) all the time for business. I haven't heard of anything specific concerning the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, but I know the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel is the focus of security. Considering you can see the Norfolk Navy Base from the HRB-T and ships going to Norfolk, Richmond, and Baltimore have to pass the CBB-T, no doubt security is tight on both.

 

[December99]

I wondered about that too Obi (the Hampton tunnel) - unfortunately would be a good target....and I do have to say - that is my fav part once we hit that tunnel and can see the base - we know we are close to my aunts!!!!!! (she's like 10 minutes from the tunnel)

 

[tstobb]

There was a show on last night about this - I "think" it was Modern Marvels. Amazing piece of engineering. When they did the expansion, one of the orig. engineers sons got to work on the project. They went into details about when it was hit by a Navy freighter during a storm, about how they open it up to pedestrians once a year & more - great show.

 

[MAC3]

Off topic but I've been on it twice. It is beautiful. The first time we went on it just as you go under the water a Navy Carrier was making it's way through the waterway.

Amazing!

 

[Cindy B]

Living where I live, you need to cross water and bridge to go anywhere... to go to work, church, Philly, etc... its part and parcel of what I do, where I live, etc..

The Bay bridge, is fun.. I enjoy it.. its like a scenic thing.. I remember going to VA Beach and going on it.. its a very cool bridge... and you used to be able to get out of your car, park, and take pictures.. not sure about that now though.. its been a few years since I've been on it..

It is more expensive than most bridges as well.. Philly/NJ are $3.00 for two way, the DRPA bridges... and the Bay Bridge was in the double digits once we went on it, and I don't think it was two way... it was $13.00 I think a while ago.