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Alaska driving2 MIN

The Road Into Whittier, Alaska, Is a One-Lane Tunnel Shared by Cars and Trains

Whittier’s road link is a converted railroad tunnel where cars and trains take turns. Check the seasonal schedule, arrive early, and allow for train delays.

By CarCody Team

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Whittier, Alaska, is connected to the road network by the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel, a one-lane corridor used by both highway vehicles and trains. They take turns: drivers queue for scheduled openings, and traffic alternates direction rather than flowing both ways at once.

How cars and trains share the Whittier tunnel

The Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel is a converted railroad tunnel, not a conventional two-way road tunnel. Alaska’s Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) describes it as a “Controlled One-Lane Tunnel with Alternating Train and Vehicle Use.” Highway traffic enters in scheduled windows, with vehicles staged and released in one direction at a time; trains also use the corridor at other times. Cars and trains do not pass each other as opposing traffic inside the tunnel.

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The Federal Highway Administration describes the facility as 2.6 miles long. Its single lane and alternating use are why a drive into Whittier can involve waiting even when there is no visible traffic ahead: access depends on the operating schedule and train movements.

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When can you drive through?

DOT&PF publishes different schedules for summer and winter. The summer schedule applies May 1 through September 30; the winter schedule applies October 1 through April 30. Opening times can change, so check the state’s current Whittier Tunnel schedule for the date you plan to travel rather than relying on a time from an older itinerary. The City of Whittier also directs visitors to the state schedule.

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DOT&PF advises drivers to arrive at the staging area ten minutes before the scheduled opening. Unscheduled trains may occasionally add 15 to 30 minutes of delay, according to the agency’s schedule information. Treat that as a possible additional wait, not a guaranteed maximum; timing can depend on operations.

What drivers should do before entering

  1. Check the schedule for your travel date. Use the applicable seasonal schedule on the DOT&PF schedule page and confirm the current opening times.
  2. Allow time for staging and delays. Reach the designated staging area ten minutes before the listed opening, and leave room in your itinerary for an unscheduled train.
  3. Review the rules for your vehicle. DOT&PF says motorcycle riders must wear helmets and convertible tops must be in place. Consult the state’s Whittier Tunnel information and regulations for current requirements, including details that may depend on vehicle class.

Do not assume tolls, vehicle-size limits, or exact entry times from a general description of the tunnel. Check the state information for the current details that apply to your vehicle and trip.

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Why this road uses a railroad tunnel

The route began as railroad infrastructure. DOT&PF’s history records that the rail spur to Whittier was completed on April 23, 1943. It included a one-mile tunnel through Begich Peak and a 2.5-mile tunnel through Maynard Mountain, connecting Whittier with the Alaska Railroad’s main line at Portage.

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As demand for road access grew, DOT&PF, working with the Alaska Railroad and others, chose to convert the existing railroad tunnel for combined highway and rail use. The result is a practical but unusual connection: cars can reach Whittier by road, but only within a controlled system in which road traffic and trains take turns. The city describes the route as a way for visitors to drive from Anchorage to Whittier for Prince William Sound activities.

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Alaska drivingAnton Anderson Memorial Tunnelroad triptunnel scheduleWhittier Alaska

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