On the route of the Glacier Discovery – visiting Whittier and the flag stop at Spencer Glacier. to and from Whittier increased, so did the demand for more convenient and affordable passage to Whittier. Here's the info from the Whittier Tunnel Tips website: For early afternoon cruises (e.g. Right: Alaska Railroad Whittier shuttle passes stockpiles of stone needed for new track and road. For details on design and construction, see the Tunnel Design page in this website. Earlier Story: UPDATED 7:47 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 27: Regular ferry service between Cordova and Whittier is cancelled for Friday, Oct. 28, as repairs continue on the Whittier Tunnel, in the wake of a rock fall earlier in the week detected by tunnel workers. The Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel is the longest highway tunnel in North America. Portal buildings designed to withstand avalanches Fifty miles southeast of Anchorage near Portage Glacier, the tunnel connects the port city of Whittier on Prince William Sound to the Seward Highway and Southcentral Alaska. Driving through the Whittier Tunnel (Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel) in Alaska. We appreciate your understanding during this time. The tunnel currently bears his name. climbed to Portage Pass and traversed the eastern edge of Portage Glacier to Bear Valley. Chugach Eskimos have hunted and gathered in this area for thousands of years. The remarkably tight, one-lane highway running through the tunnel originally only serviced rail traffic through its two and half mile length. This line became Alaska's main supply link for the war effort. Last year, the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel that connects Whittier to the rest of the world by road brought in more than $1.7 million, just $200,000 less than its peak in 2005. Cars depart from Bear Valley (Portage Valley) at the top fo the hour (for a 15 minute window). The Memorial Tunnel is a one lane tunnel to get to/from Whittier and is the longest highway tunnel in North America at 2.5 miles in length. (Refer to the Whittier Tunnel Schedule.) This need spurred the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) to search for a way to improve this transportation corridor. I’d long wanted to traverse the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel heading to Whittier, Alaska and the Prince William Sound ().The tiny town of Whittier holds a couple hundred people where nearly the entire population lives in a single building.You might wonder why the government built a tunnel nearly two and half miles long through solid stone for so few people. The 1950s brought change to Whittier once again. With a new rail connection to Whittier, the area began to change. The tunnel facility is designed with multiple safety features. The project consisted of more than 50 separate design and construction tasks, and construction began in September 1998. In 1914 the Alaska The beauty of Prince William Sound attracts tourists every year. Forest Highways are funded and administered by the USFS and the Federal Highway Administration; the system was created by the Federal Aid Highway Act of 1921. The DOT&PF considered several options, including: After studying all the options, DOT&PF, in consultation with the Alaska Railroad, the public, and tunnel, railroad, and highway experts, determined that the best solution was to construct a highway to Maynard Mountain and transform the existing railroad tunnel into a one-lane, combination highway and railway tunnel that allows cars and trains to take turns traveling through the tunnel. The City of Whittier is maximizing the available parking areas. 1.5 hours is recommended in summer. The Whittier tunnel was shut down earlier this week after employees detected a rock fall. Also part of the new highway is a short two-lane tunnel under Begich Peak, at mile 5.3 (from the Seward Highway), west of the toll booths for the Anton Anderson tunnel. You’ll go through Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel—the longest (2.5 miles) highway tunnel in North America, and the first designed for -40 Fahrenheit temperatures and 150 mph winds! Studies conducted make clear that there is more demand for access than can be accomdated with the Alaska Railroad's shuttle operation. Passenger and recreational vehicles pulling trailers hauling boats more than … It was originally designed to even withstand 150mph winds which is simply incredible. Harbor: (907) 472-2327 ext. There is parking available at the Harbor and in the private lot at Whittier Creek. Its official name is the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel. The tunnel provides access for Whittier to the road system. You literally have to drive through a mountain to get into Whittier. 1-1:30pm), go for the 10:30-10:45 or 11:30-11:45am tunnel openings into Whittier. Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel. Whittier Tunnel - gorgeous drive to Whittier Alaska - YouTube the community to the highway system. As part of this design-build contract, the Kiewit team worked out a preliminary design for each component of the project with "over the shoulder review" from DOT&PF and HDR Alaska. This project consisted of 1.5 miles of road, one 500 foot long tunnel and two bridges from the Portage Glacier Highway near the Begich-Boggs Visitor Center to the Bear Valley staging area. The Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel in Alaska connects the city of Whittier to Bear Valley. On April 23, 1943 workers completed the spur, which consisted of a 1-mile tunnel through Begich Peak and a 2.5-mile tunnel through Maynard Mountain, thus linking Whittier to the Alaska Railroad's main line at Portage. During operating hours, 15 minutes of every hour are "reserved" for east-bound auto traffic, 15 minutes for west-bound auto traffic, and 30 minutes for train traffic (Alaska Railroad). The Whittier Tunnel tolls start at $13 for a car and prices raise from there for larger vehicles with more axles. FFH-35 is one of the 33 Forest Highways that are currently designated in Alaska. WHITTIER TUNNEL CLOSURE . DOT&PF contracted with CH2M Hill to design the approaches and the bridges to the tunnel facility. The adventure begins with the drive from Anchorage to Whittier down Turnagain Arm, which is considered one of the world’s most scenic. It is the longest combined train and highway tunnel in North America. HDR Alaska, on behalf of the DOT&PF, prepared the "Whittier Access Project Environmental Impact Statement," an environmental analysis required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). As the military pulled out, Whittier transformed into a federally run commercial port. Built initially for rail, cars and trains now share the Whittier Tunnel under the mountain. For more details see our time table above. From there they would walk the front of the glacier onto the base of Begich Peak and drop down to Portage Valley. Kiewit crews converted the 1940s-era railroad tunnel into a state-of-the-art multi-use rail/automobile tunnel. Whittier is an easy 63-mile drive south of Anchorage on the scenic Seward Highway or Highway “1” on driving maps. Be sure to check out the local attractions on your drive, from numerous photo stops along scenic Turnagain Arm … How safe is the tunnel? Contact Us >. Allow a minimum of one hour to drive from Anchorage to Bear Valley, the tunnel terminus. Travelers They trekked over Portage Pass and Portage Glacier to trade and fight with the Athabaskan Indians of Cook Inlet. Use this timetable to plan your trip through the Whittier Tunnel. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) approved the environmental impact statement (EIS) in November 1995. Great tunnel Driving through the two mile long, one lane Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel is an interesting experience. This unique facility meets all requirements for safety. Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, Vehicle By land you will travel 2 1/2 miles through a mountain tunnel which is shared by alternating directions of vehicle and rail traffic. Additional parking will become available as Whittier develops. As the numbers of people traveling Fax: (907) 472-2404 DOT&PF chose the project as its first design/build project. During this period, Portage Glacier still covered most of Portage Lake. Anton Anderson, an Army engineer, headed up the construction. Often dropped off at the head of Passage Canal, these adventurers used pack trains, sleds, and pulleys to drag equipment and supplies over Portage Pass in hopes of striking it rich in Cook Inlet or on the Kenai Peninsula. Then you’ll experience the two-plus-mile-long drive through the Whittier Tunnel, a World War II relic designed for one-way train use. Left: Steam locomotive traverses Bear Valley shortly after the tunnel opens. The only way to get to Whittier by land is through the one-lane Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel, the largest combined rail and highway tunnel in North America. Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel. You’ll go through Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel—the longest (2.5 miles) highway tunnel in North America, and the first designed for -40 Fahrenheit temperatures and 150 mph winds! This route, however, was both difficult and dangerous. The tunnel was completed in 1943 and became Alaska's main supply link for the war effort. Driving from Anchorage to Whittier to play in Prince William Sound? The one-way toll for a private vehicle starts at $13. B2. In June 1998, DOT&PF awarded the tunnel contract to Kiewit Construction Company, who then selected the firm Hatch Mott MacDonald to design the project. Box 608 HDR brought together nationally recognized experts in design/build law, tunnel engineering, ventilation, tunnel control systems and railroad and railroad signal systems. For many years, this tunnel housed a very important supply chain for Alaska. Enjoy the unique experience of a trip to Whittier, Alaska, driving the longest combined vehicle-railroad tunnel in North America! Land area in Whittier is constrained. It passes under Maynard Mountain and is part of the Chugach Mountains. Generally, the tunnel is open for entry for 15 minutes each way, once each hour. A repair project for the terminal building was designed & constructed in 2011. It is part of the Portage Glacier Highway and at 13,300 feet (4,100 m), is the second-longest highway tunnel, and longest combined rail and highway tunnel in North America. First tunnel designed for -40° F. and 150 mph winds. The Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel, better known as the Whittier Tunnel, is the longest dual-use, or bimodal, highway tunnel in North America. The reason this tunnel is so spectacular is because it’s the longest single-lane highway tunnel in North America, and by long I mean really long – we’re talking over 2 1/2 miles! The main advantages of using Whittier as a rail port was that it was a shorter voyage, reduced exposure of ships to Japanese submarines, reduced the risk of Japanese bombing the port facilities because of the bad weather, and avoided the steep railroad grades required to traverse the Kenai Mountains. Arrive at least 10 minutes prior to tunnel opening. Thanks to a unique design, the tunnel allows a single lane of automobile traffic to drive directly over the railroad track - a design that saved tens of millions of dollars over the cost of constructing a new tunnel for vehicles. Nov. 1942. Driving from Anchorage to Whittier to play in Prince William Sound? The Whittier tunnel suggests arriving 10 minutes prior to your opening. The Whittier Tunnel, also called the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel, is a single lane 2.5 mile long tunnel, shared by cars, trucks, RVs, and trains. Pay attention to the access schedule. The Whittier Tunnel, also known as the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel is the longest highway tunnel in North America at 2.5 miles long (and one place said it was the longest in the world?). 1 – 1:30pm), go for the 10:30 – 10:45 or 11:30 – 11:45am tunnel openings into Whittier. Size, Tunnel Restrictions, Using a high-speed electric train service, Constructing a highway route over the mountain, Constructing a highway route through the tunnel. The drive is only 10 minutes, but the opening can be delayed, or there can be a line before you enter. P.O. A bit blurry, but it was the best I was able to do from the car with the low light conditions. (Arriving earlier isn’t a waste; park in line, then get out of your car and soak in the scenery.) To access Whittier, visitors have to embark through this 2.5-mile-long tunnel. Infrastructure—such as buildings (including the six story Buckner building and the Begich Tower), a power plant, and a petroleum tank farm—began to change the landscape. Driving from Anchorage to Whittier to play in Prince William Sound? 2. The Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel to Whittier is the longest highway tunnel in North America. Its design and construction will benefit all State of Alaska constituents and will provide the efficient and affordable access to Whittier and Prince William Sound that people have long sought. The Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel in Alaska was created in 1941 when the U.S. Army began construction of the railroad spur from Whittier to Portage. 7 Give yourself another 20 – 30 minutes to get through the tunnel. The Whittier Access Tunnel was Alaska's first design-build transportation project. In the mid-1940s, work crews and supply ships began to arrive, and population, including military and civilian personnel, swelled to over 1,000. Enjoy the unique experience of a trip to Whittier, Alaska, driving the longest combined vehicle-railroad tunnel in North America! Whittier Tunnel Whittier, Alaska 23 Aug 2000 Driving through the Whittier Tunnel. The tunnel is now the longest auto tunnel in North America, 2.5 miles long. While railroad manager Otto Ohlson championed this route because of its ability to provide a shortcut to a deep-water port (a trip to Seward added 52 more miles), this route didn't become a reality until World War II. 2017 Shore Facilities Condition Survey Report Whittier Observations 1. View of a group of people stepping over a pile of rubble in the Whittier Tunnel (Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel) during its construction. Local tips include when you should leave from Girdwood or Anchorage to make the tunnel. For early morning cruises (e.g. The work at Whittier required boring a railroad tunnel 13,900 feet long (Whittier Tunnel), constructing a dock and terminal facility at Portage, building a shorter tunnel (Portage Tunnel, later called Moraine Tunnel, 4,910 feet long, on the west side of the project close to the moraine of nearby Portage Glacier), and the laying of fourteen miles of railroad track from Portage to Whittier. Herndon and Thompson, Inc. constructed this project. Growing demand for access to Whittier spurred the DOT&PF to link The portion of the Portage Glacier Highway traveling from the Seward Highway to the Begich, Boggs Visitor Center is designated as part of Forest Highway 35, a Federal Forest Highway (FFH). Whittier has been a port on the Alaska Marine Highway, but its only link to Alaska's highways was via the Alaska Railroad. There isn't too much to Whittier but the tunnel in itself is a fun experience! You can travel by boat, or you can drive through the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel, a single-lane, 2.7-mile-long highway tunnel—the longest in … Cars depart from Whittier at the bottom of the hour. The most notable characteristic of the branch are the two tunnels used to pass through the mountains surrounding Whittier. The one-lane tunnel must be shared by cars and trains traveling in both directions, and it usually needs to be aired out in between trips (with jet turbine ventilation, another first!). Map of Whittier >, Main: (907) 472-2327 Tunnel Design A unique tunnel design transforms a 1940s-era railroad tunnel into a 21 st-century road and railroad tunnel.. You drive right on top of the tracks! Right: Alaska Railroad Whittier shuttle passes stockpiles of stone needed for new track and road. Constructing a highway to Maynard Mountain and engineering the 2.5 mile long tunnel to accommodate both a roadway and a railway. Whittier's geographical location makes it the ideal gateway for freight ships, cruise lines, fishers, and recreational boaters. This one lane tunnel spans 2.5 miles in length. Travel between Prince William Sound and Turnagain Arm has always been a vital part of life in Alaska, although modes and routes have continued to change. The scope of work for this $60 million project included increasing the crown height by an average of 1.5 feet to allow installation of six 75-hp jet fans. 9:00am), use the 7:30 – 7:45am tunnel opening into Whittier. The man at the front and center of the group is General Simon Bolivar Buckner, and to his right is Colonel Benjamin Talley. There is a schedule for traffic going through the tunnel (see our Whittier Tunnel page), so it’s good to be aware of the schedule before you arrive. Railroad Corporation began to consider ways to construct a railroad spur to what is now the town of Whittier. Whittier, AK 99693 In 1941, the U.S. Army began construction of the railroad spur from Whittier to Portage. HDR Alaska was contracted to produce a conceptual design, write the performance specifications on which the final tunnel design was based and assist DOT&PF manage the construction contract. On April 23, 1943 workers completed the spur, which consisted of a 1-mile tunnel through Begich Peak and a 2.5-mile tunnel through Maynard Mountain, thus linking Whittier to the Alaska Railroad's main line at Portage. You’ll go through Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel—the longest (2.5 miles) highway tunnel in North America, and the first designed for -40 Fahrenheit temperatures and 150 mph winds! The one-lane tunnel must be shared by cars and trains traveling in both directions, and it usually needs to be aired out in … A one mile tunnel was needed to get through Begich Peak, and a 2.5 mile tunnel passed through Maynard Mountain. This unique form of rail service allowed vehicles to drive on to flat cars to be transported between Whittier and Portage. The ferry terminal property is substandard in size for the parking & staging needs of the Whittier terminal. (For true early birds, there are openings at 5:30 and 6:30am as well.). The World War II era tunnel was upgraded in 2000 to handle both vehicle and rail traffic, not to mention 150 mph winds and temperatures as low as -40° F. Ventilation is powered by three reversible jet engines. This unique design that enables a single lane of traffic to travel directly over the railroad track saved tens of millions of dollars over the cost of constructing a new tunnel. [an error occurred while processing this directive], "Over the Last Muck Pile" Many miners and prospectors also used Portage Pass to reach the gold fields of Cook Inlet and the Kenai Peninsula in the late 19th century. For early afternoon cruises (e.g. This turn of events also provided the opportunity for the private ownership and development potential that exists today. As residents and visitors drive to and from Whittier through the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel for the first time this summer, they mark the beginning of another phase in the life of a unique transportation corridor. One of the most interesting things about your visit to Whittier may just be how you arrive or depart the city. Tunnel Schedules VIEW ONLINE (or choose to download in Adobe PDF or Excel format) The Alaska Railroad began offering a shuttle service between Portage and Whittier in the mid 1960's.