I-77 re-opens with amazing speed. Here's how it happened
With Interstate 77 crumbling and impassable after a massive gas fire, crews from West Virginia Paving and the West Virginia Department of Transportation went to work. Here's the miracle they pulled off overnight.
- From a layman's perspective, this job did not look easy. The gas fire scorched a big swath of Interstate 77.
Picture taken by Secretary Paul Mattox from above the explosion site. You can see how the fire moved across I-77. http://pic.twitter.com/cCTwumUJ- It left the highway a crumbled mess.
This is what the surface of I-77 looks like after the fire. The heat caused it to crumble. http://pic.twitter.com/iSymZwXH
These are examples of the size of rocks that were laying on I-77. That's a quarter on top of the rock on the right http://pic.twitter.com/iVSaIU3Y
This is what the landscape around the interstate looks like tonight. http://pic.twitter.com/wxzgf4iH- Nevertheless, crews did not seem daunted.
Our crews have arrived & started the process of cleaning, milling & paving back I-77. http://pic.twitter.com/NXhBAyqK
The milling machine is in place & starting to mill the northbound lanes of I-77 first. 14:00 http://pic.twitter.com/pl1bmi6q
Milling is completed on the northbound side of I-77. http://pic.twitter.com/9BhEfdC3- A lot of asphalt went into the repairs:
First load of Hot Mix Asphalt going down on I-77 Northbound. http://pic.twitter.com/ut2f0ToO- The work was done under big lights.
- And then there was a delay for safety's sake. But it didn't cost as much time as originally anticipated.
- The effort brought out the best in people.
Road crews paving I77 South. Live updates begin on Wsaz at 5 a.m. #WSAZ http://pic.twitter.com/fOOIS4C0- Progress was steady through the night.
@LisaRobbinsWOWK It's cold!!! Work on the SB lanes will take a little longer due to more severe damage to that side. Still shooting for 8AM.
