RELEASE: CONTACT:

IMMEDIATE Brenda Waters 276-669-9999 bristolinfo@VDOT.Virginia.gov Michelle Earl 276-669-9901

BRIS-91 May 23, 2005

Closures, delays overnight June 2 at Interstate 77 Big Walker Mountain Tunnel: periodic closures scheduled from 11 p.m. June 2 until 8 a.m. June 3

BLAND, Va. – The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has scheduled periodic closures for the night of Thursday, June 2 at the Interstate 77 Big Walker Mountain Tunnel, located between Bland and Wytheville. The closures are necessary in order to perform air quality testing using new portable ventilation fans. The testing will begin at 11 p.m. on Thursday, June 2 and extend until approximately 8 a.m. on Friday, June 3.

The tunnel’s southbound lanes will be restricted to one-lane during the entire period, with traffic stopped for total closures for 15-minute periods, once or twice each hour overnight. The northbound lanes will remain two lanes during most of the testing period; however, testing will require the northbound lanes to be closed for at least one 15- minute period between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m.

The portable fans will be tested multiple times, in conjunction with the tunnel’s permanent ventilation fans, during a variety of simulated scenarios.

The new portable fans are part of an overall fire and safety upgrade for the Interstate 77 mountain tunnels. Although vehicular fires have been rare during the 30-plus years of operation at the tunnels, the portable fans will enhance fire protection.

During the testing period, vehicles over 16-ft. wide will be prohibited from the southbound lanes.

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