This optical illusion has people doing a double take
A bridge in the United States has captured attention online, leaving people scratching their heads after watching cars seemingly disappear right into thin air.
We’ve all seen our fair share of random videos while scrolling through our phones.
From funny animal clips to super-realistic digital animations, there’s no telling what might pop up next.
But catching a video of cars looking like they’re driving straight into the ocean and vanishing? That’s not exactly something you expect to see.
One particular video showing this strange sight recently started spreading like wildfire on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.
It’s racked up millions of views already. The video shows a breathtaking aerial shot of cars cruising along a bridge surrounded by water before they suddenly disappear into what looks like thin air.
So, what’s really going on in that video?
What is the viral video really showing?
Believe it or not, the video isn’t edited or created with AI tricks.
It actually shows the Monitor Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel, better known as the MMMBT.
This massive 4.6-mile (7.4-km) engineering marvel is located in Hampton Roads, Virginia. It links the cities of Newport News and Suffolk, while also spanning across three significant rivers—the James, the Nansemond, and the Elizabeth.
The bridge is located in Hampton Roads, Virginia, connecting the cities of Newport News and Suffolk
Wikimedia Maps/OpenStreetMap contributors
The full structure includes 3.2 miles of twin trestle bridges—two separate elevated roadways that run side-by-side—plus two man-made islands. At its core is the tunnel, which stretches an impressive 4,800 feet (1,500 meters).
So, no, cars aren’t driving into a wormhole or plunging into the sea. They’re simply entering an underwater tunnel, but the angle of the video makes it all look like an illusion.
The MMMBT opened back in April 1992. It took about $400 million to complete the entire project.
The name comes from two iconic Civil War ships: the USS Monitor and the CSS Virginia, which was formerly known as the Merrimack.
These two ironclad vessels went head-to-head during the Battle of Hampton Roads, which took place on March 8 and 9, 1862, just about a mile from where the bridge-tunnel now stands.
The illusion is actually just a tunnel
Getty Stock
Why was the MMMBT created?
The MMMBT was designed to address several important concerns, especially related to heavy traffic and national defense needs.
Its tunnel allows large military and commercial ships to pass over it without being blocked—a major factor given it’s in one of the busiest shipping routes on the East Coast of the U.S.
Engineers could’ve built a tall bridge instead, but that would have posed different risks. Tall bridges can be vulnerable during harsh weather and are also more exposed to potential attacks, especially in a high-security area.
The surrounding area is home to major defense facilities, including Naval Station Norfolk. That makes it even more important for critical infrastructure to be well protected. Using a tunnel rather than a tall bridge helps reduce that vulnerability.
The engineers also incorporated twin trestles and artificial islands to handle the unique geography and water conditions of the area.
With the bridge spanning over three big rivers, this approach allowed for more flexibility and safety during construction and daily use.
What people have said about the viral video
After the video went viral, plenty of people on social media were amazed by what they saw. Many were stunned and didn’t know what to make of it at first.
Some users immediately recognized the location and chimed in to explain what was going on.
One person replied: “That is a tunnel. Welcome to your first day of elementary school.” while someone else commented: “That’s called a tunnel my friend.”
“Open the schools.” another user joked.
Others were truly impressed by the bridge’s design and the work that went into building it, with one person writing: “Appreciate engineers!