The Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel is part of the Whittier Access Project, which provides vehicle access to the Town of Whittier, Alaska. The project consists of a 2.5-mile long one-lane, tunnel designed as a combination highway and railway tunnel that allows cars and trains to take turns traversing the tunnel. The Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel is the longest highway tunnel in North America, the longest combined rail-highway use tunnel in North America and the first tunnel in the US to utilize both jet and portal fans.

Whittier is nestled at the base of mountains that line Passage Canal - one of the deepwater fjords of Prince William Sound, many with tidewater glaciers that calve before your eyes. The surrounding peaks are snowcapped much of the year and a glacier hangs above the town to the west. Just across Passage Canal from Whittier is the Kittiwake Rookery, largest of its kind in the world. Fishing is favorite pastime with salmon and halibut derbies every summer. Whittier is also a berry picker's paradise with blueberries and salmonberries growing in abundance at the edge of town.


Whittier was created by the U.S. Army during World War II as its "secret port" and most of the older buildings date back to its days as an Army post. As the gateway to Prince William Sound, Whittier's small boat harbor offers glacier cruises and fishing charters into the Sound, is a favorite staging area for kayakers, and welcomes thousands of cruise ship passengers a year. The Whittier Access Road features the longest vehicle tunnel in North America, a 2.5-mile one-lane tunnel that accommodates both vehicles and the Alaska Railroad.      

Construction Photos
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