How long is the tunnel to Whittier AK?
2.5 miles
Whittier Tunnel: Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel Driving from Anchorage to Whittier to play in Prince William Sound? 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!
Why do they close the tunnel to Whittier?
Why is Whittier so important to the Alaska Railroad? The Alaska Railroad is working to schedule most of its freight service during the evening hours when the tunnel is closed to vehicle traffic, but it needs a time available during the day on certain days to service the barges.
Is there a toll for the Whittier tunnel?
Whittier Tunnel Tickets start at $13. All tickets are round trip. Check out the tunnels fees for different sized vehicles….
| Key | |
|---|---|
| Open in the Winter | ❄️ |
| Oversize Vehicles: Only allowed on Mon. – Thur. | 🚛 |
How long does the Whittier tunnel stay open?
The gates are locked at 11:00 pm. Traffic starts at 7:00 a.m., continuing until 10:45 p.m. during the winter, accommodating vehicles most of the time. Unscheduled trains using the tunnel in addition to the regularly scheduled passenger trains may cause occasional 15 to 30 minute delays.
Can you drive Whittier?
Whittier is 60 miles south of the city by car, motorcoach, shuttle or train. Here are driving directions from Anchorage to Whittier. It is one of the Anchorage area’s two major cruise ports. Princess Cruise Lines ships use Whittier as the starting or ending port (other lines use Seward).
Why was the Whittier tunnel built?
The passage was constructed by the military during World War II to act as Alaska’s main supply route for goods arriving in the protected deep-water port in Whittier. When the military abandoned Whittier in the 1960s, the tunnel was made a part of the Alaska highway system and given a massive overhaul.
How do you get from Whittier to Anchorage after a cruise?
Ride the Train The Alaska Railroad offers Adventure Class service on their Glacier Discovery train, departing Whittier at 6:45 PM and arriving in Anchorage around 9:15 PM. The train is a great return option for travelers who want to visit Whittier for the day from Anchorage, take a day cruise, or another activity.
How much does it cost to live in Whittier Alaska?
Goods & Services
| Item | Whittier | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| Haircut | $23.50 | 26.2% |
| Beauty Salon | $54.87 | 40.5% |
| Toothpaste | $3.15 | 34.5% |
| Shampoo | $1.05 | 0.9% |
Who built the Whittier Tunnel?
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. Herndon and Thompson, Inc. constructed this project. DOT&PF chose the project as its first design/build project.
Is there a tunnel into Whittier for cruises?
For early morning cruises (e.g. 9:00am), use the 7:30 – 7:45am tunnel opening into Whittier. (For true early birds, there are openings at 5:30 and 6:30am as well.) For early afternoon cruises (e.g. 1 – 1:30pm), go for the 10:30 – 10:45 or 11:30 – 11:45am tunnel openings into Whittier.
How long is the tunnel from Bear Valley to Anchorage?
Allow a minimum of one hour to drive from Anchorage to Bear Valley, the tunnel terminus. 1.5 hours is recommended in summer. For early morning cruises (e.g. 9:00am), use the 7:30 – 7:45am tunnel opening into Whittier.
When do cars leave from Whittier to Alaska?
To Whittier: Cars leave on the half hour, from 5:30am to 10:30pm. From Whittier: Cars leave on the hour, from 6am to 11pm. Arrive at least 10 minutes prior to tunnel opening. (Arriving earlier isn’t a waste; park in line, then get out of your car and soak in the scenery.)
How long does it take to get through the tunnel in Alaska?
Give yourself another 20 – 30 minutes to get through the tunnel. The drive is only 10 minutes, but the opening can be delayed, or there can be a line before you enter.