{{Short description|Drawbridge in Chesapeake, Virginia, US}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}} {{Use American English|date=January 2025}} [[File:BattleOfGreatBridge.jpg | thumb | left | The Battle of Great Bridge was fought at this crossing on December 9, 1775.]] thumb|The current Great Bridge Bridge was completed in 2004. thumb|A bridge over the Elizabeth River estuary in the 18th century
The '''Great Bridge Bridge''' is a double-leaf rolling bascule drawbridge that carries Battlefield Blvd (State Route 168 Business) across the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway in Chesapeake, Virginia.<ref name=cityofchesapeakeGreatBridgeBridge/><ref name=pilotonline2018-03-11/> It was constructed in 2004 by the Army Corps of Engineers and operated by the City of Chesapeake. It has a mean daily traffic of 35,000 vehicles. The current bridge cost $46 million.
In September 2018 a lightning strike disabled the bridge's electronics, requiring manual operation.<ref name=Wtkr2018-09-09/> Normally the bridge opens automatically, on the hour, from 6 am to 7 pm.<ref name=Usace2018-03-06/> Vessels can request an opening from 7 pm to 6 am.
==Earlier bridges==
On December 9, 1775, when the Battle of Great Bridge was fought, a bridge spanned the main channel of the Elizabeth River, in the middle of a broad marshy estuary.<ref name=pilotonline2018-03-11/> A raised causeway spanned the rest of the estuary.<ref name=LossingPictorial/>
A new bridge was built at Great Bridge, Virginia, in 1859, after the construction of Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal (which is part of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway).<ref name=VAnom/>
During the American Civil War a bridge crossing at Great Bridge was destroyed.<ref name=pilotonline2018-03-11/>
A new two-lane swing bridge replaced the late 19th century bridge in 1943.<ref name=pilotonline2018-03-11/>
==References== {{Reflist|refs= <ref name=VAnom> {{cite web | url = http://www.dhr.virginia.gov/registers/Cities/Chesapeake/131-5333_Albemarle&Chesapeake_Canal_HD_2004_Final_Nomination.pdf | title = National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal|author=Geoffrey Henry|date=July 2003 | publisher = Virginia Department of Historic Resources | access-date = 2019-05-11 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170210214539/http://www.dhr.virginia.gov/registers/Cities/Chesapeake/131-5333_Albemarle%26Chesapeake_Canal_HD_2004_Final_Nomination.pdf | archive-date= 2017-02-10 | url-status = dead }} </ref>
<ref name=LossingPictorial> {{cite news | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=ELBBAAAAYAAJ&q=%22great+bridge%22 | title = The Pictorial Field-book of the Revolution: Or, Illustrations, by Pen and Pencil, of the History, Biography, Scenery, Relics, and Traditions of the War for Independence, Volume 1 | author = Benson John Lossing | author-link = Benson John Lossing | publisher = Harper & Brothers | year = 1850 | page = 327 | isbn = 9780871520555 | archiveurl = | archivedate = | accessdate = 2019-10-27 | quote = }} </ref>
<ref name=Usace2018-03-06> {{cite news | url = https://www.nao.usace.army.mil/AIWW.aspx | title = Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway | publisher = US Army Corps of Engineers | date = March 6, 2018 | archiveurl = | archivedate = | accessdate = 2019-10-27 | quote = }} </ref>
<ref name=Wtkr2018-09-09> {{cite news | url = https://wtkr.com/2018/09/09/great-bridge-bridge-expects-extended-closures-after-lightning-strike-causes-electrical-issues/ | title = Great Bridge bridge expects extended closures after lightning strike causes electrical issues | work = WTKR | date = September 9, 2018 | location = Chesapeake, Virginia | archiveurl = | archivedate = | accessdate = 2019-10-27 | quote = After being struck by lightning Saturday evening, electrical issues with the Great Bridge bridge will require the bridge to be opened manually. }} </ref>
<ref name=pilotonline2018-03-11> {{cite news | url = https://www.pilotonline.com/history/article_c90142c4-fa9b-526f-8e1a-9399a7e3c7f7.html | title = The history of the Great Bridge Bridge dates to at least 1770 | work = The Virginian-Pilot | author = Raymond Harper | date = March 11, 2018 | archiveurl = | archivedate = | accessdate = 2019-10-27 | quote = }} </ref>
<ref name=cityofchesapeakeGreatBridgeBridge> {{cite web | url = http://www.cityofchesapeake.net/Government/City-Departments/Departments/Public-Works-Department/Chesapeake-Bridges/bridges-greatbridge.htm | title = Great Bridge Bridge (Battlefield Blvd) | publisher = City of Chesapeake, Virginia | archiveurl = | archivedate = | accessdate = 2012-06-15 | quote = }} </ref> }}
{{Water Crossings in the Hampton Roads Region}} {{Coord|36|43|15.1|N|76|14|23.8|W|type:landmark|display=title}}
Category:Road bridges in Virginia Category:Bascule bridges in the United States Category:Bridges completed in 2004 Category:Bridges in Chesapeake, Virginia