how long is the whittier tunnel

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!). Enjoy the unique experience of a trip to Whittier, Alaska, driving the longest combined vehicle-railroad tunnel in North America! You literally have to drive through a mountain to get into Whittier. Be sure to check out the local attractions on your drive, from numerous photo stops along scenic Turnagain Arm … 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. It is the longest combined train and highway tunnel in North America. The drive is only 10 minutes, but the opening can be delayed, or there can be a line before you enter. The man at the front and center of the group is General Simon Bolivar Buckner, and to his right is Colonel Benjamin Talley. Right: Alaska Railroad Whittier shuttle passes stockpiles of stone needed for new track and road. Chugach Eskimos have hunted and gathered in this area for thousands of years. 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. Railroad Corporation began to consider ways to construct a railroad spur to what is now the town of Whittier. The most notable characteristic of the branch are the two tunnels used to pass through the mountains surrounding Whittier. 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. The beauty of Prince William Sound attracts tourists every year. Whittier, AK 99693 The tunnel is now the longest auto tunnel in North America, 2.5 miles long. 9:00am), use the 7:30 – 7:45am tunnel opening into Whittier. 1.5 hours is recommended in summer. Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, Vehicle For many years, this tunnel housed a very important supply chain for Alaska. Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel. 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. For more details see our time table above. Whittier Tunnel Whittier, Alaska 23 Aug 2000 Driving through the Whittier Tunnel. The Whittier Access Tunnel was Alaska's first design-build transportation project. 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. Cars depart from Bear Valley (Portage Valley) at the top fo the hour (for a 15 minute window). First tunnel designed for -40° F. and 150 mph winds. DOT&PF chose the project as its first design/build project. The one-way toll for a private vehicle starts at $13. How safe is the tunnel? Driving from Anchorage to Whittier to play in Prince William Sound? Arrive at least 10 minutes prior to tunnel opening. Anton Anderson, an Army engineer, headed up the construction. For details on design and construction, see the Tunnel Design page in this website. Driving from Anchorage to Whittier to play in Prince William Sound? WHITTIER TUNNEL CLOSURE . The one-lane tunnel must be shared by cars and trains traveling in both directions, and it usually needs to be aired out in … 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. Give yourself another 20 – 30 minutes to get through the tunnel. 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. The City of Whittier is maximizing the available parking areas. 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. (Arriving earlier isn’t a waste; park in line, then get out of your car and soak in the scenery.) The tunnel currently bears his name. This one lane tunnel spans 2.5 miles in length. Pay attention to the access schedule. For early morning cruises (e.g. 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! 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. The tunnel was completed in 1943 and became Alaska's main supply link for the war effort. DOT&PF contracted with CH2M Hill to design the approaches and the bridges to the tunnel facility. The 1950s brought change to Whittier once again. Right: Alaska Railroad Whittier shuttle passes stockpiles of stone needed for new track and road. the community to the highway system. Enjoy the unique experience of a trip to Whittier, Alaska, driving the longest combined vehicle-railroad tunnel in North America! We appreciate your understanding during this time. Size, Tunnel Restrictions, Using a high-speed electric train service, Constructing a highway route over the mountain, Constructing a highway route through the tunnel. FFH-35 is one of the 33 Forest Highways that are currently designated in Alaska. In 1941, the U.S. Army began construction of the railroad spur from Whittier to Portage. The tunnel provides access for Whittier to the road system. The adventure begins with the drive from Anchorage to Whittier down Turnagain Arm, which is considered one of the world’s most scenic. 2. 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). From there they would walk the front of the glacier onto the base of Begich Peak and drop down to Portage Valley. 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. P.O. Land area in Whittier is constrained. During this period, Portage Glacier still covered most of Portage Lake. 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. 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! 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. It passes under Maynard Mountain and is part of the Chugach Mountains. There is parking available at the Harbor and in the private lot at Whittier Creek. Travelers 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). Map of Whittier >, Main: (907) 472-2327 1 – 1:30pm), go for the 10:30 – 10:45 or 11:30 – 11:45am tunnel openings into Whittier. Here's the info from the Whittier Tunnel Tips website: For early afternoon cruises (e.g. The project consisted of more than 50 separate design and construction tasks, and construction began in September 1998. On the route of the Glacier Discovery – visiting Whittier and the flag stop at Spencer Glacier. Additional parking will become available as Whittier develops. With a new rail connection to Whittier, the area began to change. Harbor: (907) 472-2327 ext. HDR brought together nationally recognized experts in design/build law, tunnel engineering, ventilation, tunnel control systems and railroad and railroad signal systems. Whittier is an easy 63-mile drive south of Anchorage on the scenic Seward Highway or Highway “1” on driving maps. This unique form of rail service allowed vehicles to drive on to flat cars to be transported between Whittier and Portage. View of a group of people stepping over a pile of rubble in the Whittier Tunnel (Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel) during its construction.
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