From 25 to 100 feet. According to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel Commission, the water depth ranges from 25 to 100 feet. Previously, 50 to 60 vehicles would drive up onto ferries, which would transport them over the sea, with the Chesapeake Bay to the west and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. The last ferry crossed the bay on November 17, 1968. The first bridge was built in 1912 by John McArthur Jr. for $7 million ($90 million in 2016 dollars). It was replaced by the current structure in 1967-68. The old bridge was demolished. The longest suspension bridge in America when it was constructed in 1897 had a main span of 14,500 feet (4,420 meters), and today's bridge is more than twice as long! At the time it was built, this was considered very innovative engineering. The Golden Gate Bridge is an even longer suspension bridge that connects San Francisco to Marin County across the entrance to the Golden Gate Strait. It has been called "the most famous bridge in the world" because of its appearance in so many movies including some that have nothing to do with music. Music has played a very important role in the history of the Bay Bridge. It was originally named the Oakland-Alameda Bridge after it connected Oakland to Alameda. In 1969, it was renamed in memory of Albert J. Bissell, who died while serving as director of the Bureau of Public Roads.