2004-present: Modern era
The Blue Ridge Tunnel reopens (November 21, 2020)
CSX donated the original Blue Ridge Tunnel to Nelson County in 2007.
The Claudius Crozet Blue Ridge Tunnel Foundation, formed in 2012, partnered with Nelson County to restore the tunnel as a public trail. After eight years of fundraising and engineering work, the tunnel reopened to walkers and cyclists on November 21, 2020.
The trail is 2.25 miles, crushed stone, headlamps required, fifty degrees Fahrenheit year-round. The American Society of Civil Engineers had designated the tunnel a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark in 1976, but it had been inaccessible to the public for 76 years.
The reopening, more than a century and a half after Crozet's bores first met in the dark, completed a circle.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
What period does The Blue Ridge Tunnel reopens (November 21, 2020) cover?
This entry covers the 2004-present: Modern era period of Crozet, Virginia history. See the History page for the broader chronological frame, including Claudius Crozet, the Blue Ridge Tunnel, the orchard era, and the modern planned-community phase.
Where can I learn more about The Blue Ridge Tunnel reopens (November 21, 2020)?
Primary sources for this entry are listed below the article, including https://www.blueridgetunnel.org. The Crozet Library, Albemarle County records, and the Crozet Gazette archives are good starting points for deeper research.
Is this an authoritative history?
Claudius Crozet synthesizes from public sources rather than producing original archival research. For academic citation, work from the primary sources listed below the article. We aim for accurate dates and verifiable facts, but encourage readers to confirm against the original record.