South Thimble Island in Virginia Beach, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Lucius J. Kellam, Jr.
Bridge - Tunnel
Photographed By Sandra Hughes, August 15, 2010
1. Lucius J. Kellam, Jr. Marker
The dream of a structure bridging the lower Chesapeake Bay to connect Virginia's Eastern Shore with the Mainland of Virginia became a reality with the opening of the Bridge-Tunnel on April 15, 1964. This accomplishment can be attributed to the foresight, leadership, and untiring efforts of Lucius J. Kellam, Jr., of Belle Haven, Virginia, who has served continuously since 1954 as chairman of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel Commission and the former executive, a public-spirited citizen, a man of the highest integrity and a Virginia gentleman.
In recognition of the outstanding contributions made by Lucius J. Kellam, Jr. and his continuing dedication to this major transportation facility, the members of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel Commission, by resolution dated August 11, 1987, named this crossing in his honor.
Dedicated October 23, 1987
(Lower plaque)
Kellam, served as chairman until 1993 at which time he was named chairman emeritus and continued to serve as an active member of the commission until September 24, 1995. Kellam will be long remembered for his outstanding contributions to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel Commission and to the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Erected 1987 by Members of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Bridges & Viaducts. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1915.
Location. 36° 57.999′ N, 76° 6.749′ W. Marker is in Virginia Beach, Virginia. It is on South Thimble Island. Marker is on U.S. 13 near Chesapeake Bay. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Virginia Beach VA 23455, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Chesapeake Bay: History Happened Here (here, next to this marker); The Chesapeake Bay : History Happened Here (here, next to this marker); Tribute to Admiral de Grasse (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named The Chesapeake Bay : History Happened Here (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named The Chesapeake Bay : History Happened Here (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named The Chesapeake Bay: History Happened Here (within shouting distance of this marker); Adam Thorowgood (approx. 4.2 miles away); Meeting of Three Commanders (approx. 4.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Virginia Beach.
Also see . . . About the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. Website entry (Submitted on August 31, 2010, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.)
via Encyclopedia Virginia, 1961
2. Lucius Kellam and P.Z. Michener During Construction of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel
Lucius Kellam (left) was the chairman of the Chesapeake Bay Ferry Commission and a strong initial advocate of building a two-lane fixed crossing across the bay. He is pictured here with P.Z. Michener, project manager for Sverdrup & Parcel, the engineering firm who helped to design the structure that became the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel (CBBT). The two men are pictured here during construction of the CBBT, in front of a tubes that would eventually become part of one of the CBBT's tunnel sections.
Photographed By Mike Stroud, October 16, 2010
3. Lucius J. Kellam, Jr. Marker
Photographed By Sandra Hughes, August 15, 2010
4. Chesapeake Bridge Tunnel
Photographed By Sandra Hughes, August 15, 2010
5. Chesapeake Bridge Tunnel
Photographed By Mike Stroud, October 16, 2010
6. Bay Bridge Tunnel
Photographed By Mike Stroud, October 16, 2010
7. Bay Bridge Thimble Shoal Channel Tunnel entrance, south side
Photographed By Mike Stroud, October 16, 2010
8. Tunnel
Photographed By Mike Stroud, October 16, 2010
9. Out of the tunnel
Photographed By Mike Stroud, October 16, 2010
10. Bridge, heading south
Photographed By Mike Stroud, October 16, 2010
11. Souuthbound
Photographed By Mike Stroud, October 16, 2010
12. Southbound US 13
Photographed By Mike Stroud, 2010
13. Bay Bridge- Tunnel fishing pier
Photographed By Mike Stroud, October 16, 2010
14. Ships at anchor
Photographed By Mike Stroud, October 16, 2010
15. North Bound Toll Booth ($12.00), Virginia Beach
Photographed By Mike Stroud, October 15, 2011
16. In Memoriam
their lives building the
Chesapeake Bay
Bridge - Tunnel
Donald P. Cartwright
Johnnie Davis
Hubert B. Dycus
John A. Fedorowicz
Will A. Sawyer, Jr.
James A. Werner
Erected June 17, 1964
(Lower plaque)
The Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement
1965
Awarded In A National Competition
Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel
by The American Society of Civil Engineers
Photographed By Mike Stroud, 2010
17. Lucius J. Kellam, Jr. Marker
Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel
Total Project Cost, Building Time and Opening Dates
(No local, state or Federal tax money used)
North- $200,000,000 - 42 Months
Opened April 15, 1964
South- $250,000,000 - 46 Months
Opened April 19, 1999
Length
17.6 Miles Shore to Shore
Piles (support trestles)
North - 2,523
South - 2,591
North Channel Bridges
Each 3,780 Feet Long - 75 Feet Clearance
Fisherman Inlet Bridges
Each 460 Feet Long - 40 Feet Clearance
Depth of Water Along Route
25 to 100 Feet
Tunnel Lengths
Each 1 Mile Long
Additional tunnels planned in the future
(No local, state or Federal tax money used)
North- $200,000,000 - 42 Months
Opened April 15, 1964
South- $250,000,000 - 46 Months
Opened April 19, 1999
Length
17.6 Miles Shore to Shore
Piles (support trestles)
North - 2,523
South - 2,591
North Channel Bridges
Each 3,780 Feet Long - 75 Feet Clearance
Fisherman Inlet Bridges
Each 460 Feet Long - 40 Feet Clearance
Depth of Water Along Route
25 to 100 Feet
Tunnel Lengths
Each 1 Mile Long
Additional tunnels planned in the future
Photographed By Don Morfe, September 21, 2016
18. Chesapeake Bay Tunnel Bridge
You’re standing at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay. Water from as far away as upstate New York and the mountains of West Virginia all flows here. Pollution threatens this vast Bay, home to our famous crabs, oysters, and an amazing richness of plant and animal life. Working together, we can same this national treasure.
Learn more at cbf.org.
Learn more at cbf.org.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 25, 2010, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. This page has been viewed 2,666 times since then and 238 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on August 25, 2010, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. 2. submitted on August 7, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 3. submitted on October 17, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 4, 5. submitted on August 25, 2010, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12. submitted on October 17, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 13. submitted on December 31, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 14, 15. submitted on October 17, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 16. submitted on February 3, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 17. submitted on December 31, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 18. submitted on October 7, 2016, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
