BLUEFIELD, W.Va. — Motorists heading south this week on Interstate 77 near Bluefield at the Virginia state line can expect delays during the overnight hours.
The Virginia Department of Transportation said crews are painting the ceiling of the northbound East River Mountain Tunnel. The work is part of the repairs being made following last year’s tractor-trailer fire inside the tunnel.
This week’s work will impact both north and southbound traffic. All motorists will be flagged through the southbound tunnel from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. nightly. The work began Sunday night and will continue through Thursday night and into early Friday morning. All four lanes will be open beginning Friday morning at six o’clock and through the weekend.
VDOT officials said there would have to be more repairs made to the damaged tunnel in the coming months. The work is planned for off-peak traffic times.
The tractor-trailer fire happened July 25, 2014.