Interstate 77 Mountain Tunnels Restoration
Notable Projects
Listen: Tunnel restoration travel information (MP3, :46, 684 KB), transcript 
(PDF, 90 KB)
Narrator: VDOT's Michelle Earl
For visitors just passing through, the I-77 mountain tunnels may be quite a novelty. For those making the daily commute, it’s just a part of the trip.
Either way, staying informed about the current tunnel reconstruction project can make the ride smooth and non-eventful.
Project Details
The $16.5 million project to restore both tunnels began in May 2006. 
The contract calls for:
- Foundation and structural refurbishment
- Ventilation
- Drainage and sidewalk repairs
- Replacement of the tile on the tunnel walls
The project is scheduled for completion in summer 2008.
Detailed project page
What’s New?
Workers are currently installing a barrier wall along the inside of Big Walker Mountain Tunnel and performing drainage repairs there.
They are replacing wall tile at East River Mountain Tunnel.
Much of the work, such as curing of the concrete barrier walls, requires 24/7 lane closures.
Motorists are advised to be alert to the possibility of lengthy delays, especially during the afternoon. Morning travel through the work zone is recommended.
Plan Ahead
With such extensive repairs comes the possibility of extensive backups.
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) offers these suggestions for motorists.
- Morning travel is best: During the construction, traffic has been at its peak between 1 and 6 p.m. VDOT recommends morning travel to avoid lengthy delays.
- Detours can save time: Motorists can consider alternate routes:
- Between West Virginia and Tennessee, Route 19 from Bluefield to Abingdon is suggested. The road is four lanes the entire length. Route 19 can be accessed off Interstate 81 Exit 14 at Abingdon and off I-77 Exit 66 at Bluefield.
- Between Princeton, W.Va., and Blacksburg, Route 460 is suggested. The road is four lanes for the entire length. Route 460 can be accessed off I-77 Exit 9 in West Virginia and off I-81 Exit 118B near Christiansburg.
- Between North Carolina and West Virginia, motorists can use Route 52 in Virginia from Wytheville to Rocky Gap. Route 52 is a scenic, but curvy, mountainous road suitable for automobiles. It is not recommended for box trucks or larger vehicles. This is a reasonable alternative to traveling through the tunnels in the afternoon. It can be accessed in Virginia off I-81 Exit 70 and from Route 460 in Bluefield, W.Va.
- Between West Virginia and Tennessee, Route 19 from Bluefield to Abingdon is suggested. The road is four lanes the entire length. Route 19 can be accessed off Interstate 81 Exit 14 at Abingdon and off I-77 Exit 66 at Bluefield.
Before beginning your trip, call 511 Virginia, or visit 511Virginia.org, for the current travel conditions. Motorists outside Virginia can dial (800) 578-4111.
Also, check the travel advisories section of VirginiaDOT.org each week for lane closure information.
History
Big Walker Mountain Tunnel and over 11 miles of I-77 were opened to traffic June 29, 1972.
Construction of the $50 million, 4,200 ft. long tunnel was able to reduce the 40-minute trip between Wytheville and Bland to about 15 minutes.
It took almost five years, working around the clock, to construct the dual-tube tunnel that cuts through the 3,650-ft. high mountain.
Two years later, on Dec. 20, 1974, the East River Mountain Tunnel was opened to traffic.
The $37-million tunnel is located at the Virginia – West Virginia state line (51 percent in Virginia and 49 percent in West Virginia). The 5,654-ft. long tunnel is jointly owned and financed by both states.
On average, approximately 27,000 vehicles a day travel I-77 between Wytheville and the Virginia – West Virginia state line. That’s almost 10 million vehicles a year.
Holiday weekends can triple traffic, causing significant congestion.
Contact Us
For more information, e-mail us at bristolinfo@vdot.virginia.gov.
