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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsWhittier, Alaska, is reached from the Portage area through the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel: a 13,300-foot, 2.5-mile passage through a mountain that carries both highway vehicles and trains. They use the single-lane tunnel at different times, not together, so drivers must follow its scheduled openings and wait for the signal before entering.
Where is the tunnel, and how long is the drive?
The tunnel links Whittier with the Portage area and Alaska’s road system. From the Seward Highway, drivers approach via Portage Glacier Highway and queue at the Bear Valley staging area. Vehicles proceed only when released by the tunnel’s signals; it is not an always-open road where drivers can enter whenever they arrive. The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT) gives the tunnel’s length as 13,300 feet, or 2.5 miles. Alaska DOT: tunnel accomplishments and facts
The tunnel opened to vehicle traffic on June 7, 2000. Its unusual arrangement makes the short drive part of the trip planning: the highway lane is shared with the railroad, and access is managed in alternating windows.
How cars and trains share one tunnel
There is one lane through the tunnel. Cars and trains take turns using it; they do not pass one another inside. Separate linked highway and train control systems prevent one mode from entering while the other has access. As the DOT puts it, “Automobiles and trains take turns traveling through the tunnel.” Alaska DOT tunnel FAQ
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The road surface was built over the railroad track area using precast concrete panels with grooves for the rails. During conversion, the state also added ventilation, emergency safe houses and vehicle pull-outs. The DOT describes six jet fans for normal operation and four portal fans for emergencies and purging. Those features support the shared-use tunnel, but do not change the basic rule: enter only during your assigned vehicle opening.
When can you drive through?
Vehicle openings follow a published seasonal schedule, and the state can adjust access for railroad movements, traffic demand, safety, weather, maintenance or other state interests. Check the official Alaska DOT tunnel schedule before setting out, and check again on the day of travel. Do not rely on an old schedule copied into a travel post or printed guide.
Plan for a wait, even if you have checked the timetable. The DOT FAQ advises allowing 15–30 minutes for train-related delays. Weather, operations and maintenance can also affect access, and a scheduled opening is not a guarantee that conditions will remain unchanged. The City of Whittier’s travel advice is to arrive before the opening and leave extra time for waiting.
What to expect on the approach
- Approach from the Seward Highway. Follow Portage Glacier Highway toward the Bear Valley staging area.
- Queue at the staging area. Wait for the signal and metered release; do not drive toward or into the tunnel without authorization. The DOT’s virtual drive notes that high winds can occur at Bear Valley and identifies the Begich, Boggs Visitor Center on the approach.
- Follow the posted instructions through the tunnel. Keep to the directed vehicle lane and obey signals and staff instructions. The tunnel’s traffic controls coordinate road access with train movements.
- Build in schedule slack. A missed opening or operational delay can change your arrival time in Whittier, so avoid making a tight connection immediately after the tunnel.
Can you walk or cycle through the tunnel?
No. The DOT does not permit pedestrians or bicycles in the tunnel. Its stated reasons include rail grooves, limits in detection and surveillance, the tight changeover schedule and the lack of safe width for passing. Arrange a permitted way to reach Whittier rather than attempting to use the tunnel on foot or by bicycle. Alaska DOT tunnel FAQ
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What does the Whittier tunnel cost?
The DOT toll page displays a $13 Class A round-trip ticket, but its rate table says the rates were set July 1, 2015. That is a dated posted rate, not confirmation of the charge in effect for your trip. Check the state’s official tunnel toll page for the current rate and applicable vehicle class before departure.
Why was a railroad tunnel built here?
The corridor began as a World War II rail link serving wartime logistics. Construction started in 1941, and the railroad spur connecting Whittier with the Alaska Railroad main line at Portage was completed on April 23, 1943. The tunnel is named for Anton Anderson, the Army engineer who headed construction of the rail link. Decades later, the state converted the railroad tunnel for shared rail and highway use, opening it to vehicles in 2000. Alaska DOT tunnel history
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Driving through the tunnel is the road connection, but it is not the only travel option. Travel Alaska describes seasonal passenger rail service from Anchorage, cruise itineraries and Alaska Marine Highway connections. Availability depends on operator schedules and season; compare departure point, travel date, whether you need a vehicle in Whittier, and the provider’s current fares and booking terms before choosing. Travel Alaska: Whittier
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