
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, June 5, 1993                   TAG: 9306050176
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

I-77 TUNNEL REMAINS CLOSED

The northbound tube of the East River Mountain Tunnel at the Virginia-West Virginia state line will be closed temporarily while damage caused by a motor home fire Thursday is repaired.

Northbound and southbound traffic on Interstate 77 in Bland County is being rerouted through the southbound tube of the tunnel, the Virginia Department of Transportation announced Friday.

The fire caused substantial damage to the pavement, walls, ceiling and lighting system inside the northbound tube, the department reported. Repairs are under way and will continue throughout the weekend.

The northbound tube is expected to reopen early next week.

Earlier detours have been lifted.

Wide loads, however, still are prohibited from using the tunnel.

Motorists have been asked to use extreme caution, obey all traffic signs and be alert to oncoming, two-way traffic when traveling through the tunnel.

by CNB