East River Mountain Tunnel

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The East River Mountain Tunnel is a 5,412-foot (1,649 m) vehicular tunnel that carries Interstate 77/US 52 through/under East River Mountain between the communities of Bluefield, West Virginia and Rocky Gap, Virginia. Groundbreaking began on the tunnel on August 12, 1969, and after five years of labor it was opened to the public at a ribbon-cutting ceremony on December 20, 1974. At a cost of $40 million, it was (at the time) the most expensive construction project undertaken by the West Virginia Division of Highways. Because the northern end of the tunnel is in West Virginia, and the southern end is in Virginia, Virginia shared in covering the cost of the project. The state line falls almost exactly across the midpoint of the tunnel, with 51% of the tunnel residing in West Virginia and the remaining 49% on the Virginia side.[1]

The tunnel is located about 20 miles (32 km) north of its shorter cousin, the Big Walker Mountain Tunnel. Both facilities share an unusual feature for vehicular tunnels in the United States—lane changes inside the tunnel are freely allowed. The East River Mountain Tunnel is also one of only two land vehicular tunnels in the United States that cross a state line, the other being the Cumberland Gap Tunnel.

Northbound at East River Mountain Tunnel

Prior to the opening of the East River Mountain Tunnel, travelers wishing to cross the state line had to navigate the narrow, twisting, guardrail-less route of US 52 up and over the mountain (now designated as VA 598/WV 598)—a time-consuming journey under the best of conditions. When fog or snow was present, the journey became even more arduous, and the road would occasionally be closed completely (particularly in the winter months) due to treacherous conditions.

[edit] Lane Restriction Controversy

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.