Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel - Tunnel in Whittier - , USA

I have this a 3 star rating because it is rather inconvenient, but the experience is incredible and should be tried. If course, if you are driving to Whittier, you have no choice about trying it. Here is what makes this so scary. A train tunnel was dug through the mountain from Turnagain Arm (part of the Cook Inlet), highway 1, to Whittier so freight and ultimately cruise ship passengers could be transported back and forth to Anchorage. Some folks get off the ship and fly home, and some fly into Anchorage and ride the train to the ship. Then someone has the idea to pave the train tracks so cars can drive on the tracks when the trains aren't. So now cars and trains all share the narrow one lane track 3 miles thru the tunnel. As you can imagine, chaos would ensue if someone was not monitoring the traffic pattern, so there are waiting lines with traffic lights and big signs showing when traffic will be released to go into the tunnel. Tour busses, freight trucks, RVs, and passenger cars all que up for a turn with preference given to the trains that run on a regular schedule. Once in the tunnel, you notice that it is not the typical lower 48 tunnel with nice smooth walls. This tunnel is rough, like they just chisled it out, with water dripping down and very little light. I loved the whole experience except the wait. There are several glaciers visible from the waiting line on both sides of the tunnel. Imagining driving under a mountain big enough to have year-round glaciers only adds to the thrill of the tunnel. Give it a try on your Alaska adventure.

It's scary cool! They took a railroad tunnel and paved the sides so cars could drive through as well. Timing is everything, so there are traffic lights restricting traffic while everyone takes turns, east bound, west bound, and trains alike. The trains run through all the time, taking passengers from the cruise ships in Whittier to Anchorage and back. The tunnel is almost 3 miles long, and the shoes limit is 25, so it takes a while to get through. The walls are rough hewn rock, which adds to the excitement.

Very unique thing to do. Just check the timetable for when you can get access to and from Whittier. The drive out to Whittier is very beautiful, and the weather was completely different from one side of the mountain to the other side. Just make sure to drive the correct speed and maintain a safe distance from other vehicles in the tunnel. No stopping allowed, unless of an emergency. The wait lines work similar to a ferry. Line 1 goes first, then line 2, etc. There are street lights to let you know when you can proceed through the tunnel.

This tunnel is long and pretty cool to drive through. It's a fun experience driving through it. You do have to drive slow through it so it takes a little bit of time to do. Also, you will want to look the schedule because it is a one way tunnel, so if you miss the time cut off you could be waiting in line for almost an hour to go through the tunnel, so plan accordingly. It does have a toll fee to go through, but it's worth it.

This is a very unusual tunnel. It's around half a mile long. The strange thing is its duel use. Trains use the same road. Tracks run down the middle of the road. It is a single lane road so you have to wait for your turn to go through. There are traffic lights used to let you know when it's turn. The tunnel was originally built by the military to move supplies through the mountain during WW2.

This place is absolutely amazing and the beauty and wildlife is something I will never ever forget. The drive through the tunnel was really cool and what’s waiting on the other side is simply amazing! I can’t wait to go back!

Really cool tunnel. The only way to drive into Whittier. It is also shared with the train. MAKE SURE TO LOOK AT THE TIMES! It's a one lane tunnel and only opens for 15 min each way every hour.

Loved it! Drove through a mountain! Pictures do not do it justice, was so cool to actually be inside the dark mountain. There were greatly spaced out safe house doors that made our imaginations run wild with ideas of what could be behind them. Experience of a life time we will never forget the fun drive.