The Longest Highway Tunnel In North America Is Right Here In Alaska And You’ll Want To Go Through It
The town of Whittier is perched right on the edge of a mountain pressed up against the Prince William Sound, and you have to get through that mountain to access the town. The Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel does the job, and is the longest highway tunnel in Alaska and North America both! This amazing piece of architecture is a marvel and anyone in the area should head to Whittier as the town, and tunnel, are unforgettable.
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Travel between the Prince William Sound and the Kenai Peninsula has always been necessary in Alaska. The Chugach people who lived in the area walked over Portage Glacier to get from the ocean access inland for travel and trade. This area has been inhabited for a long time in Alaska.
The Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel in Alaska was created in 1941 when the U.S. Army began construction of the railroad spur from Whittier to Portage. The tunnel was completed in 1943 and became Alaska's main supply link for the war effort. For many years, this tunnel housed a very important supply chain for Alaska.
The Tunnel Portal Building houses ventilation fans, a garage for fire trucks, and an electrical sub station. The Portal is made of 14 inches of concrete and was designed to withstand a major avalanche. The construction and design of this amazing tunnel is impressive.
The tunnel goes through Maynard Mountain for 13,300 ft. (2.5 miles) and is the longest combined rail and highway tunnel in North America. The original railroad tunnel was expanded in 1998 to include vehicle traffic. This is the longest of all the mountain tunnels in Alaska.
When the 1964 Good Friday Eathquake hit, the epicenter was very nearby in the Prince William Sound. The 9.2 quake was the largest in North American history and the tunnel suffered no significant structural damage and no cave-ins. That is spectacular, and a testament to the incredible engineering that was done when the tunnel was constructed.
The design allows a single lane of traffic to drive over the railroad tracks, so cars are allowed through one direction at a time in 30 minute increments. The drive takes about 6 minutes at 25 MPH to travel through the tunnel. The drive is both impressive when taking it in a car, or when you are on a train.
There are vehicle turnout areas along the length of the tunnel with safehouses, a public announcement system and a telephone to the management in case of emergency.
Pulling into the area will alert the Tunnel Control Center of your issue and hard hats are provided for safety while you wait for help. The tunnel is well designed for safety measures.
The pedestrian tunnel is separate and ventilated. You can travel a short distance by bike or on foot for a creepy, and exciting, adventure through a mountain, but it doesn't connect to the other side. This is a fun little trip if you’re in the area for awhile!
The tunnel is the first U.S. tunnel with jet turbine and portal fan ventilation, first tunnel with computerized regulation of both rail and highway traffic, and the first tunnel designed for -40° F. and 150 mph winds.
Arrive on the other side in the charming town of Whittier. Travel through the Anton Anderson Tunnel and you can say you've been through North America's longest highway tunnel! The road that passes through this tunnel is also on one of the most scenic drives in Alaska, and it heads through Portage Valley.
Have you been through the longest highway tunnel in Alaska? What did you think? Did you find it impressive? Did you travel through on a train or in your car? Tell us about it in the comments below!
Address: Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel, Anchorage, AK, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Longest Highway Tunnel In Alaska
November 26, 2020
Megan McDonald
Are there a lot of tunnels in Alaska?
Alaska doesn’t have many road tunnels, which makes this Whittier tunnel even more special. The fact that this one of a kind tunnel is the longest road tunnel in Alaska, is that much more impressive that it’s also the longest in the North America! And by offering dual ways through the tunnel, both rail and car, its unique construction offers many wonderful ways to travel through to Whittier. Most of the tunnels you will find in Alaska will be used by the railroad as it travels through the state.
Is the railroad a good way to see Alaska?
Absolutely! The Alaska Railroad offers many different excursions on its enchanting rail cars all year long. In fact, above and beyond regular rail and passenger service, are fun ways of experiencing the railroad through Alaska! With a Beer Train, Blues Train, Holiday Train, and Ski Train, the Alaska Railroad takes you on grand adventures with a wonderful twist.
Address: Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel, Anchorage, AK, USA
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