Crozet Railroad Tunnel And Track To Become Trail And Park. Albemarle and Charlottesville railroad enthusiasts, as well as everyone who enjoys the outdoors, will look forward to the opening of a section of the Blue Ridge Tunnel to the public. The tunnel was built in the mid-1800s as a railroad route under the Blue Ridge mountains. It is located in Afton, Virginia. The tunnel was designed by the French engineer Claudius Crozet and was built by Irish laborers and slaves. The tunnel was used until 1944, when the C&O railway completed a larger tunnel to handle modern freight trains. The tunnel is carved out of greenstone and is about 4,200 feet long. The planned trail will open up 700 feet of the tunnel from the Crozet side. It will be preceded by a 3,400 foot walking trial from the Afton depot along the old railway bed. According to published reports from the Charlottesville Daily Progress, the project is being overseen by Nelson County, but includes representatives from Albemarle and Augusta counties and the city of Waynesboro. Until the project is completed, the tunnel remains inaccessible as private property is involved. Francis P. Hajek Wilson & Hajek, LLC, a personal injury law firm Experienced Injury and Accident Lawyers Serving Virginia, including Albemarle, Charlottesville, Fluvanna, Louisa, Madison, Nelson, Orange, Greene, Augusta, Staunton, Waynesboro