Every guest coming to whittier will travel through north americas longest shared rail and car tunnel which operates on a timed schedule allowing oneway traffic through the tunnel. Anderson served on the anchorage city council before being appointed in 1956 to complete the term of mayor ken hinchey. The whittier tunnel, also known as the anton anderson memorial tunnel is the longest highway tunnel in north america at 2. See all 2 anton anderson memorial tunnel tours on tripadvisor. There are many other interesting facts about this oneofakind tunnel in alaska, from the safe houses that were built inside the tunnel. The anton anderson memorial tunnel, often called the whittier tunnel after the town at its eastern. Running under an entire mountain, the longest highway tunnel in north america is kept fresh using portal fans and jet fans. Anton anderson memorial tunnel is located in whittier. Tolls are set by reference and are current until replaced. The anton anderson memorial tunnel, often called the whittier tunnel after the town at its eastern terminus, is a dualuse bimodal highway and railroad tunnel that passes under maynard mountain. Any drive to prince william sound or whittier involves this tunnel, and you must be prepared for this lessthanordinary highway drive.
Vehicle classifications and tolls all tolls are round trip. Book your tickets online for anton anderson memorial tunnel, whittier. Kmta national heritage area map the anton anderson memorial tunnel is nearly three miles long and is the longest combined rail and highway tunnel in north. There are many other interesting facts about this oneofakind tunnel in alaska, from the safe houses that were built inside the tunnel to its original construction, the anton anderson memorial tunnel is truly unique. Visit anton anderson memorial tunnel on your trip to whittier. Id long wanted to traverse the anton anderson memorial tunnel heading to whittier, alaska and the prince william sound. Anderson was elected the following year, but ill health forced him to resign early. Anton anderson memorial tunnel whittier, alaska atlas. Youll go through anton anderson memorial tunnel the longest 2. The tunnel will close after the completion of the 1. The department of transportation and public facilities, central region, is soliciting proposals from qualified vendors to provide maintenance and operations services for the anton anderson whittier memorial tunnel at whittier, alaska. I read up on the history of this tunnel and was excited to see it and experience. Construction photos, whittier tunnel, transportation. The department of transportation and public facilities, central region, is soliciting proposals from qualified proposers to provide maintenance and operations services for the anton anderson whittier memorial tunnel at whittier, alaska.
The anton anderson memorial tunnel, better known as the whittier tunnel, is the longest dualuse, or bimodal, highway tunnel in north america. The tunnel is the second longest highway tunnel in. Youll go through anton anderson memorial tunnelthe longest 2. View from the bear valley end of the whittier tunnel anton anderson memorial tunnel of a group of workers and others after the final blast in the construction of the tunnel. When the anton anderson memorial tunnel opened to public access in 2000, it became the first highway to connect whittier to anchorage and inner alaskapreviously, the only ways to reach the town had been rail, boat and plane. Built in 1943 as a railroad tunnel to connect inland bear valley with the small port city of whittier, the anton anderson memorial tunnel was built beneath maynard mountain and is now not only the longest highway tunnel in north america, but also one of a few to service both rail cars and automobiles. In the spring of 1941, survey parties under the direction of anton anderson, f. Whittier, alaska anton anderson memorial tunnel running under an entire mountain, the longest highway tunnel in north america is kept fresh using portal fans and jet fans. The tunnel was upgraded to bimodal use by the kiewit construction company. Whittier tunnel 19411942 anderson s crowning achievement was as chief engineer in constructing two tunnels for the whittier tunnel project in 19411942. At a length of,300 ft 4,100 m, it is the secondlongest highway tunnel and longest combined rail and highway tunnel in north america. Highest rated places of interest or tour operators on tripadvisor, promoting those where there is at least one tour or activity available to book on tripadvisor. The ice and water control liner was assembled in portage lake tunnel for use in the anton anderson memorial tunnel.
Anton anderson memorial tunnel outside of whittier. Fhwa center for innovative finance support project. The portage glacier highway, or portage glacier road, is a highway located in the u. Riding the anton anderson memorial tunnel on my bmw r1200rt, michigan to alaska trip in july 2016. These eleven photos, from my summer 2001 vacation, cover the toll tunnel and access road connecting the seward highway part of alaska state route 1, at the east end of turnagain arm, to the port of whittier at the west end of prince william sound. Major marine tours whittier great alaskan holidays. The anton anderson memorial tunnel is among the most unique features in alaska and the united states as a whole.
Transporting roadwayrail panels into the tunnel in winter 199899. Do you need to book in advance to visit anton anderson memorial tunnel. History, tunnel facts, operational information, and construction details are available on this website. A visit to anton anderson memorial tunnel represents just the start of the adventure when you use our. Two large building in whittier were built to house the military, the 14story hodge building now begich towers and the buckner building that was damaged. The anton anderson memorial tunnel is nearly three miles long and is the longest combined rail and highway tunnel in north america. Whittier tunnel gorgeous drive to whittier alaska youtube. Vehicle turnout for emergency stopping in anton anderson memorial tunnel. It is a unique passage into and out of the town of whittier and the gateway to prince william sound and all the fun it has to offer. Discover anton anderson memorial tunnel in whittier, alaska. The passengers are included in this so there is no additional costs for passengers. The tiny town of whittier holds a couple hundred people where nearly the entire population lives in a single building. For further questions or information, please contact. Kukkola determined the final locations for the tunnels, railroad, and terminal.
In 1976, the tunnel from whittier to portage, which he had overseen, was renamed the anton anderson memorial tunnel. Media in category anton anderson memorial tunnel the following 9 files are in this category, out of 9 total. The tunnel, also known as the whittier tunnel, is a multiuse road and railroad tunnel that passes under maynard mountain. To get on a boat in whittier, you had to go through ano. Anton anderson memorial tunnel whittier, alaska atlas obscura. If you book with tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. You might wonder why the government built a tunnel nearly two and half miles long through solid stone for so few people. The tunnel was upgraded to bimodal use by the kiewit. On april 22, 2020 the tunnel will have a closure from 1. Here are some of the very first photos ever taken of alaska. Once complete, the rail became alaskas main supply link for the war effort. Scroll through to learn more about its history and to see how cool it looks on the inside and out. The tunnel to whittier is called the anton anderson memorial tunnel or just the whittier tunnel. The anton anderson memorial tunnel opened to highway traffic in june of 2000 and for the first time, both automobile and trains traveled through this 2.
January 23, 2015 deadline for receipt of proposals. A roundtrip fee is collected when vehicles go to whittier. We recommend booking anton anderson memorial tunnel tours ahead of time to secure your spot. Skyscanner helps you find places to stay, eat or play that are perfect for you. The anton anderson memorial tunnel construction started in 1941 by the u.
Alaskas anton anderson memorial tunnel is the longest highway tunnel in north america. For information on the construction schedule at the tunnel, please consult alaska 511 exit site or the. The onelane 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. At two and half miles long, the tunnel is the longest combined highway and rail tunnel in north america. The tunnel to access whittier is open at 30 minutes past the hour. Alaskas anton anderson memorial tunnel is totally unique. 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.
Anton anderson memorial tunnel, whittier tripadvisor. Here are five facts that emphasize the quirks and elements of the anton anderson memorial tunnel. Opening the tunnel fulfilled alaskas long held vision of better access to whittier and beautiful prince william sound. Built in 1943 as a railroad tunnel to connect inland bear valley with the small port city of whittier, the anton anderson memorial tunnel was built beneath. Five amazing facts about the anton anderson memorial. As residents and visitors drive to and from whittier through the anton anderson memorial tunnel for the first time this summer, they mark the. Driving from anchorage to whittier to play in prince william sound. If she doesnt have a pen in hand or her nose in a book, she can be found out on a lake or up in the woods around a fire with friends.
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