Only 60 miles from Anchorage, Whittier beckons with all the beauty of
Prince William Sound – a place where you learn the real meaning of the
word “fjord”. The Sound is made up of many deep fjords with tidewater
glaciers that calve before your eyes, and islands around every turn.
Whittier is also surrounded by the Chugach National Forest, the
second largest in the United States and a vast wilderness.
You
can find more information about Whittier and how to visit at their
website: http://whittieralaskachamber.org
Enjoy the unique experience of a trip to or from Whittier,
Alaska, driving the longest combined vehicle-railroad tunnel in North
America! A Controlled One-Lane Tunnel with Alternating Train and
Vehicle Use
Phone: 907-566-2244 Toll-free: 877-611-2586
or Tune to: AM 530, Whittier or AM 1610, Portage
Vehicles wait in
a staging area at each end until a scheduled departure at fifteen minute
intervals. For freezing temperatures and fixed winter openings, travel
is limited to a five minute window. Vehicles must be in line before that
time.
Traffic starts at 5:30 a.m., continuing until 11:15 p.m.
during the summer, 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. Please plan with
this possibility in mind if you will be on a time schedule for arriving
at the ferry terminal. The Alaska Ferry will not adjust their schedule
for tunnel delays and
no show fees
would apply.
* Oversize vehicles are allowed only on Monday through Thursday at these
times.
Motorcycle helmets must be worn in the tunnel, and convertible vehicles
must have the top in place.
PLEASE HELP TO FACILITATE THE FLOW OF
TRAFFIC. PLEASE PLAN TO ARRIVE AT THE STAGING AREA TEN MINUTES BEFORE
THE SCHEDULED OPENING.
12/20/23