East river: (Archived Bridge Hunter; Satellite, no photos)
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| CunningPeople4186 posted [If you want to avoid reading the (repeated) platitudes in this description, I'll summarize. Construction began in 1966 and was completed in 1972. The bore through solid rock is 4,229' (1.3km, 0.8 mile) long. It cost $50m, which at that time made it the most expensive road project in Virginia's history. It appears that CunningPeople4186 took the info from BlandCountyVA and got their word count way up by padding it with platitudes.] The Big Walker Mountain Tunnel, a marvel of engineering in Bland County, Virginia, has a rich history that reflects the challenges and triumphs of mid-20th-century infrastructure development in the United States. This tunnel, which carries Interstate 77 through Big Walker Mountain in Virginia, stands as a testament to human ingenuity and the relentless drive to connect communities across challenging terrains. The idea for a tunnel through Big Walker Mountain originated in the early 20th century as transportation needs grew and the region sought better connectivity. However, it wasn't until the 1960s that the project gained momentum. The decision to build a tunnel rather than an open-cut road was influenced by the steep and rugged terrain, which made a tunnel a more practical and safer option. Construction of the Big Walker Mountain Tunnel began in 1966. The project was a significant undertaking, involving the boring of a 4,229-foot-long tunnel through solid rock. The work was challenging and required advanced engineering techniques and substantial manpower. Despite these difficulties, the project proceeded steadily, reflecting the era's spirit of innovation and determination. The tunnel was completed in 1972, and its opening marked a major milestone for the region. It provided a crucial link in the Interstate 77 corridor, significantly improving transportation efficiency and safety. The tunnel not only facilitated commerce and travel but also spurred economic development in the surrounding areas by providing easier access to previously remote regions. The final price tag was $50 million, which at that time made it the most expensive road project in Virginia's history. On the upside, it shaved roughly 30 minutes off the drive time between Wytheville and Bland County. Since its completion, the Big Walker Mountain Tunnel has undergone various maintenance and modernization efforts to ensure its continued safety and functionality. These improvements have included updates to lighting, ventilation, and safety systems, reflecting ongoing advancements in tunnel technology and infrastructure management. Today, the Big Walker Mountain Tunnel remains a vital transportation artery, serving thousands of vehicles daily. It stands as a symbol of the enduring impact of visionary infrastructure projects and the ongoing efforts to connect and support communities through innovative engineering solutions. The history of the Big Walker Mountain Tunnel is a story of overcoming natural obstacles to achieve progress and connectivity, embodying the spirit of perseverance and ingenuity. |
East Portal:
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| Street View, Jun 2023 |
These tunnels were built using the old drill-and-blast method. A jumbo drilling rig was used so that multiple holes could be drilled at the same time. Each blast required over 100 holes that were 12' (3.7m) deep. The rig was on tracks so that it could quickly be removed from the tunnel to allow access for the equipment that mucks out the blasted rock.
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| 1 of 15 construction images in a VDOT album, Photo by Bill Alley, VDOT, License: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (CC BY-NC-SA) |
A dump truck would have to back up all the way to the face for each load hauled out. For the East River Mountain Tunnel, that would be up to a half mile near the end of the dig. (I assume they worked the tunnel from both ends.) By the time the project was over, the trucks would have hauled over 300,000 cubic yards of rock. This video is about Big Walker Mountain, so the other tunnel would have been even more rock. This video helped me appreciate why a Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) and its conveyor belt are so much more efficient than the old drill and blast method.
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| 24:49 video |
The portal buildings are large to hold all of the ventilation fans. They also hold offices, maintenance facilities, storage, etc.
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| 24:49 video |
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East River Mountain Tunnel
The state line between West Virginia and Virginia is about half-way through this tunnel.
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| Street View, Jan 2024 |
"The twin lane East River Mountain Tunnel is 5,400 feet [1.6km, 1 mile] long....The work was difficult, the TNT explosions were loud and the mud was deep. At East River Mountain, caves created sinkholes and sunk part of the tunnel two feet so that concrete had to be hauled in to correct the problem. More than 30,000 feet of lumber was also hauled in to support the tunnel." [FHA]
The 24 fans in the ventilation system totally change the air every two minutes. Consequently, the temperature inside this tunnel is about the same as the outside temperature. Digging encountered 12 layers of rock. This was the seventh longest tunnel in the U.S. [BlandCountyHistoryArchives]
There are so many layers of rock because "the geological structure of East River Mountain is anticlinal, that is, an upward arching of the strata." [wvencyclopedia]
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| OnlyInYourState, Ray Sanders/YouTube "On July 25th, 2014 there was a terrible fire in the tunnel caused by a truck carrying nearly 40,000 pounds of cast stone. The 30-40 vehicles behind the truck were backed out of the tunnel safely and fortunately, no one involved was seriously injured. Crews worked tirelessly to contain the problem and repair damage." |
This was posted Oct 12, 2025, but comments confirm this is rage bait. It is a photo of the 2014 fire.
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| Truckparkingclub posted I77 in WV shut down at the tunnel due to a fire! |
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