Interstate 77 North - Fort Chiswell to West Virginia

Interstate 77 travels through two tunnel systems between the northern exchange with I-81 at Wytheville and the West Virginia state line.

Midway between Wytheville and Bland, I-77 passes through Big Walker Mountain via twin tunnel tubes measuring 0.80 miles in length. The tunnel opened to traffic June 29, 1972, along with an 11.4 mile section of I-77 south to Wytheville. Building of the tunnel cost approximately $25 million.¹

Crossing into West Virginia, I-77 travels 1,077 feet below East River Mountain through two 1.025 mile long tubes. Construction of the East River Mountain Tunnel commenced August 4, 1969, with a formal dedication held December 20, 1974 on the West Virginia side.² U.S. 52 follows I-77 through the East River Mountain Tunnel located between Exit 66 on the Virginia side and Exit 1 in West Virginia.

North

Interstate 77 advances north from the split with I-81 / U.S. 52 (Exit 72) to SR 610 (Peppers Ferry Road).
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Bland is unincorporated but represents the seat of Bland County 12 miles ahead.
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SR 717 (Krenning Road) angles 4.4 miles southwest from a folded diamond interchange (Exit 47) with I-77 to U.S. 52.
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Interstate 77 proceeds northwest from SR 717 (Exit 47) to the entrance of Big Walker Mountain Tunnel.
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Twin tubes carry I-77 traffic under Big Walker Mountain, which peaks at 3,650 feet in elevation.
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Emerging from Big Walker Mountain Tunnel, I-77 curves northerly toward Bland.
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U.S. 52/SR 42 meet Interstate 77 one half mile ahead at a diamond interchange (Exit 52) west of the Bland County seat.
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SR 42 travels northeast from Broadford, joining U.S. 52 southwest of I-77. The two routes part ways in Bland, with SR 42 following along E Blue Grass Trail toward Staffordsville.
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The Appalachian Trail overlays SR 612 (Kimberling Road) to cross Interstate 77 midway between Bland and Bastian. The hiking trail meanders 555.1 miles through the state of Virginia.
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SR 666 (Indian Village Trail) joins Interstate 77 with U.S. 52 along a 0.33 mile route in one mile.
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I-77 passes the Rocky Gap rest area for southbound motorists one mile ahead of SR 606 (Exit 62) at South Gap.
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SR 606 ties into I-77 at a diamond interchange (Exit 62) immediately east of U.S. 52. SR 606 arcs southeast to SR 42 while U.S. 52 lines the west side of I-77 to Rocky Gap.
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Interstate 77 travels between Rich Mountain and Wolf Creek Mountain on the ensuing stretch to Rocky Gap.
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U.S. 52 switches sides with Interstate 77 at a diamond interchange (Exit 64) near Rocky Gap.
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SR 61 originates in North Tazewell along the U.S. 19/460 corridor, meeting U.S. 52 ahead of I-77. The state route ends at Narrows.
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U.S. 52 and SR 598 converge at a folded diamond interchange (Exit 66) ahead of the East River Mountain Tunnel in one mile.
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SR 598 travels 6.1 miles west from Interstate 77 to Bluefield, West Virginia. The multi state route represents the former alignment of U.S. 52 into the Mountaineer State.
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North

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Interstate 77 / U.S. 52 north enters West Virginia midway through the East River Mountain tunnel.
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