Whittier Alaska
Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel - Whittier, Alaska
Enjoy the unique experience of a trip to Whittier, Alaska driving the longest combined vehicle-railroad tunnel in North America! ... 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. It opened to vehicle traffic on June 7, 2000 after extensive conversion from a World War II railroad tunnel. ... [Read More]
Whittier weather
Whittier Weather ... City of Whittier ... Whittier’s climate is famous for being wet and wild. In fact, the location was selected by the U.S. military because the cloud and fog cover would protect the port from Japanese bombing during World War II. Wind, rain, and heavy snowfall are common. The average annual precipitation is 196 inches (16 ft). Average annual snowfall is 241 inches (20 ft). The waters of Passage Canal, however, remain ice-free year-round. ... [Read More]
Whittier Tunnel History
Whittier’s geographical location makes it the ideal gateway for freight ships, cruise lines, fishers, and recreational boaters. The beauty of Prince William Sound attracts tourists every year. Whittier has been a port on the Alaska Marine Highway, but its only link to Alaska’s highways was via the Alaska Railroad. The Alaska Railroad began offering a shuttle service between Portage and Whittier in the mid 1960's. This unique form of rail service allowed vehicles to drive on to flat cars to be transported between Whittier and Portage. As the numbers of people traveling to and from Whittier increased, so did the demand for more convenient and affordable passage to Whittier. Studies conducted make clear that there is more demand for access than can be accomdated with the Alaska Railroad’s shuttle operation. This need spurred the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) to search for a way to improve this tran ... [Read More]
Whittier Frequently Asked Questions
The project represents a long-term goal to better connect Whittier to the rest of Alaska. A port for the Alaska Marine Highway System since the 1960s, Whittier has never had a direct link to the highway system. The Alaska Railroad has linked the "highways" on both sides of the mountain by shuttling automobiles on flatcars through the tunnel. Earlier this year, the Federal Railroad Administration issued regulations that will require all vehicles to be secured and all passengers to leave their vehicles and ride in a passenger rail car. In addition, Whittier residents, weekend recreators, truckers, commercial fishermen, the tourism industry, and many others expressed the desire for more convenient and less expensive access to beautiful Prince William Sound and Whittier. After numerous economic and engineering studies over the years, a cost-effective solution—a dual use tunnel—was found that could be built with the funding available. The solution is also consistent wi ... [Read More]
Whittier virtual drive
After exiting the tunnel, you will bear to the left as the roadway passes the Whittier staging area. The Whittier staging area is similar to the Bear Valley staging area with the exception that there are no manned information booths. During the first weeks of operation, tunnel employees will be at the Whittier staging area to answer questions. Later, during normal operations, automated systems of signs and lights will direct traffic. The capacity of the Whittier staging area is 280 vehicles. ... [Read More]
Whittier Tunnel Design
Due to the potential for avalanches, the portal roof on the Whittier side, has been constructed to withstand forces of 1,000 pounds per square foot. The roof is made with 14-inch-thick concrete panels. On the Bear Valley side, the roof is designed to withstand forces of 220 pounds per square foot which is equivalent to about 11 feet of new snow. For comparison, the building code for Anchorage requires that building roofs can be constructed to withstand a load of 40 pounds per square foot. ... [Read More]
Alaska Marine Highway System Main Information
Whittier is nestled between the glacier-capped Chugachmountains and Prince William Sound. Built by the U.S. Governmentduring World War II as a hidden port, today Whittier is the gateway to a recreational wonderland. In May of 2000, a highway from Whittier to the Interioropened to the public. This spectacular drive from the edge of Prince William Soundthrough the Chugach mountains winds through a series of tunnels, and connects Whittierto Anchorage only 45 miles to the south. Travelers also have the option of taking the famed Alaska Railroad from Whittier all the way to Fairbanks. ... [Read More]
NMFS Alaska Enforcement - Seward Info/Photos
City of Whittier, Alaska ... Seward and Whittier Links: ... Seward, Whittier ... [Read More]
Alaska Scenic Byways, Alaska Railroad
Greater Whittier Chamber of Commerce ... Operating year-round passenger service between Anchorage and Fairbanks, the Alaska Railroad also offers service via Talkeetna, Denali, Seward and Whittier during the summer. Amenities available (not on all routes) include glass-domed luxury railcars, gourmet cuisine and a wide variety of overnight adventure and sightseeing packages. The Alaska Railroad is one of the last surviving 'flag stop' passenger rail lines in the U.S. - trains that will stop where and whenever passengers want to get on or off. ... [Read More]
Alaska Marine Highway System Changes and Specials
Destination City Akutan, Alaska Angoon, Alaska Bellingham, Washington Chenega Bay, Alaska Chignik, Alaska Cold Bay, Alaska Cordova, Alaska False Pass, Alaska Haines, Alaska Hollis, Alaska Homer, Alaska Hoonah, Alaska Juneau, Alaska Kake, Alaska Ketchikan, Alaska King Cove, Alaska Kodiak, Alaska Metlakatla, Alaska Pelican, Alaska Petersburg, Alaska Port Lions, Alaska Prince Rupert, British Columbia Sand Point, Alaska Seldovia, Alaska Seward, Alaska Sitka, Alaska Skagway, Alaska Tatitlek, Alaska Tenakee, Alaska Unalaska, Alaska Valdez, Alaska Whittier, Alaska Wrangell, Alaska Yakutat, Alaska ... [Read More]
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