Alexandria Gazette

The Blue Ridge Tunnel,

The Tunnel has, thus far, been cut entirely through solid rock and of the hardest kind—a dark, "bluish schistose, slaty greenstone, of most irregular fracture. On the Eastern side, where the mountain has been perforated some 250 feet, the rock is very compact, and no walling is necessary. On the Western side, where the mountain is perforated about 450 feet, the rock is not so solid, but is composed of shifting strata, which require, in many places, walling up—and for this purpose, lime-stone blocks have to be hauled some 6 or 7 miles. The tunnel is about 20 feet wide and 30 feet high, arched at the top. About 120 hands are employed night and day; being divided into three parties, of 40 on each side; each party working eight hours. While on the Western side the mouth of the Tunnel comes directly into the valley, on the Eastern side it is necessary to overcome enormous difficulties, such as cutting off spurs, filling up precipices, &c. At the entrance of the Tunnel, there will be an immense embankment at least 100 feet high and curved. Before reaching the Eastern mouth, it has also been found necessary to cut other shorter tunnels through the interposing spurs of the mountains. The grade from Mechum's River to the mouth of the Tunnel, is 70 feet per mile. It is calculated that the Tunnel will not be completed in less than four years—it being impossible to work more than a limited number of hands.—Richmond Enquirer.