Driver Dead After Rig Goes off Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel in Virginia
The Virginian-Pilot
(TNS)
A tractor-trailer Sunday morning drove off the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, near the North Channel Bridge, according to a release from a CBBT spokesperson..
At about 6:30 a.m., the tractor-trailer went overboard, just south of Fisherman’s Island.
The tractor-trailer was a Perdue Farms vehicle and a spokesperson from Perdue confirmed that the driver had died.
“Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with his family, friends, and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time,” a Perdue spokesperson said. “He had been a valued member of our team, and his loss will be deeply felt across our organization.”
The spokesperson said the company is fully cooperating with authorities as the investigation continues.
The Coast Guard and the Virginia Beach Marine Police were searching for the driver.
As of 9:21 a.m. there was a a wind advisory for the CBBT, meaning there were wind speeds of 35 mph. This means that the speed limit was reduced to 45 mph on the bridge tunnel with no passing allowed. The media contact for the CBBT would not say if there was a wind advisory at the time of the crash.
The crash caused guardrail and curb damage to the bridge-tunnel, and maintenance crews are making emergency repairs. All lanes are now open, according to the CBBT’s social media account. Previously traffic had been stopped with a single lane of traffic was opened while repairs were completed.
There is a very small margin of error for tractor-trailers on the bridge-tunnel, which is the only direct link between Hampton Roads and the Eastern Shore. The guardrails on the bridge are designed to withstand glacing blows from cars or pickup trucks going 62 mph or less.
The posted speed limit is 55 mph. These guardrails are not as strong as the concrete jersey barriers at the Hampton Roads and the Monitor-Merrimac bridge-tunnels.
The spokesperson did not provide any information on anyone involved in the accident.
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