Big Walker Mountain Tunnel

USA / Virginia / Wytheville /
 1972_construction, road tunnel
The Big Walker Mountain Tunnel is a twin bore vehicular tunnel in the Appalachian Mountains of Southwest Virginia that carries Interstate 77 beneath Big Walker Mountain between Bland and Wytheville. It is located at 37°2.316′N 81°7.818′, a few miles south of the town of Bland and a segment of the Appalachian Trail, and about 20 miles (32 km) south of its longer cousin, the East River Mountain Tunnel. Both facilities share an unusual feature for vehicular tunnels in the United States—lane changes inside the tunnel are freely allowed. Forest Road 206 (Walker Mountain Road) passes over the tunnel.

The tunnel took five years to construct and was opened in 1972. At the time it was the most expensive project ever completed on Virginia's interstate system at $50 million.

In 2006, the Virginia Department of Transportation began a rehabilitation project that involves lane closures during the daytime. When the lanes are closed, wide loads over 12 feet wide are prohibited from using the tunnel. On June 21, 2006, West Virginia Congressman Nick Rahall asked that the ban be lifted, citing needs of West Virginia's manufactured housing industry. Rahall claimed that the ban raises issues arising under the commerce and takings clauses of the Constitution of the United States.
Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Walker_Mountain_Tunnel
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   37°2'20"N   81°7'53"W

Comments

  • is this the big walker moutain tunnel?
This article was last modified 2 years ago