(WSET) — On Dec. 20, 1974, around 500 people gathered in the freezing cold at I-77 East River Mountain Tunnel to celebrate the opening of the tunnel and a transportation milestone for the region.

The mile-long East River Mountain Tunnel on Interstate 77 opened on Dec. 20, 1974 after five years, four months and 13 days of work. The total project cost, including design, right-of-way acquisition, ...