Update Wednesday July 30, 2014:
Crews completed the needed repairs on Tuesday night so East River Mountain Tunnel will remain open Wednesday night. The West Virginia Division of Highways has been advised that the Virginia Department of Transportation was able to complete its repairs overnight. There will be no need for the closure this evening. The northbound tunnel will remain open.
Some lanes of an Interstate 77 tunnel along the Virginia-West Virginia border where a truck fire occurred are being rerouted for repairs.
The northbound lanes of the East River Mountain Tunnel will be closed from 8 p.m. Tuesday through 8 a.m. Wednesday, and from 8 p.m. Wednesday through 7 a.m. Thursday.
Northbound traffic will be diverted to the southbound side of the tunnel. Transportation officials say traffic in both directions will alternate and travelers should expect significant delays.
Burning cardboard on the truck sent thick, black smoke throughout the tunnel Friday, forcing it to close in both directions.