I-77 north | Driving thru Tunnels in Virginia

Let's take a POV driving trip in western Virginia! We'll start at Interstate 81 and turn north where I-77 branches off in Wytheville, VA. As we take our road trip north on Interstate 77, we'll see the Appalachian Mountain Range as we head to West Virginia. The first tunnel we travel through will be the Big Walker Mountain tunnel. After that, we continue up I-77 and then go through the East River Mountain Tunnel. Once out of that tunnel, we cross into WV. we'll exit I-77 a few miles up the road in Princeton, WV. Passing through the Big Walker Mountain Tunnel close to Wytheville, Virginia, and the East River Mountain Tunnel close to Bluefield, West Virginia, is a simple and quick process for drivers on Interstate 77, a major north/south highway. Both the East River Mountain Tunnel and Big Walker Mountain Tunnel are double-deckers, with the former measuring in at over 5,400 feet and the latter over 4,200 feet. Both tunnels allow lane changes. However, getting from one state to the other wasn't always a breeze. It was necessary to take the winding, but beautiful, Highway 52 to get to the other side of Big Walker. There was a narrow road that took people over East River Mountain. Road closures were common in the mountains due to weather conditions such as heavy fog or winter snow. Both mountains are over 3,000 feet in height. Cutting through both mountains via a tunnel seemed like the most practical option. It took five years to build the Big Walker Tunnel and the roads that surrounded it. In 1972, at a cost of $50,000,000. it opened to the public. The construction of this bridge set a record for the cost of a single highway project in Virginia. In 1969, construction on the East River Tunnel began. At $40,000,000, the tunnel was the most expensive project ever undertaken by the West Virginia Department of Highways, and it was not finished until 1974. The state of Virginia contributed to the cost of the tunnel because it served as a connecting link between the two states, with the state line running through the middle of the tunnel's length. TNT explosions were loud, and the mud was waist-deep, making for a challenging work environment. Sinkholes and a sunk section of the tunnel caused by caves on East River Mountain necessitated the delivery of concrete to fix the issue. To reinforce the tunnel, over 30,000 feet of lumber were brought in. There are now thousands of drivers who appreciate the tunnels' safety. Maintenance, air quality testing, and fire and safety upgrades to the tunnel ventilation system necessitate 15-minute closures at regular intervals. Carbon monoxide levels are detected automatically and the ventilation system is adjusted accordingly. In the event of a blackout, generators kick in to provide emergency power. In the event of an accident, the tunnels are equipped with traffic lights, fire extinguishers, and phones. Motorists on a tight schedule can appreciate the efforts of so many people by using the Big Walker and East River Mountain Tunnels. There are a few specific goals of Travel Towner: 1. To take fun POV (“Point-of-View”) videos of scenic drives, highways, and roadways so you can virtually travel anywhere you like; or look back at a time when you were younger. 2. Document a fun walking tour of a specific park, attraction, or point of interest so you can see what's it's like to really be there. 3. Showcase vintage footage from yesteryear to show today's viewers what is may have been like back in 19- something something! If you have any vintage footage of past attractions, parks, road trips or anything interesting from the USA? Contact me and let’s feature it here! 4. Just for Fun. These are videos that are funny or interesting in some way that I think everyone will enjoy! Please give a "thumbs up" if you like taking a POV Road Trip or love POV driving. Want to get in on the fun and make cool videos too? Here is everything I use to make it happen: (Please note I may make a commission as an Amazon Associate if you purchase- thank you for supporting this channel!): The iMac to edit: https://amzn.to/3AMBhWv Video Camera: https://amzn.to/3xwP29F Steadycam: https://amzn.to/3wvdaIv Media: https://amzn.to/3hS4Ihp