Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel — Local services in Alaska

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...

We had a frustrating experience. First of all, there is no signal, so bring a book or magazine to read.

In our case, despite arriving 30m early, there was no mention of a coming train. The sign the whole time was saying "train arriving," even before oncoming traffic, and it seemed wrong. However, a train did eventually come, albeit sequencedly poorly after the traffic. After, the informational sign was slow to change. Given it's 2024 and they have reems of traffic data , I don't know how they can't predict and share an estimated delay (i.e., est departure 1:52pm). At the end of the day, the lack of effective communication and the huge quantity of traffic backed up eroded our confidence in being able to have a good time and get back on time for the rest of the days events, so we turned around after waiting nearly an hour.

I hope we had a one off bad experience and that's yours is better, as it seems...

The Tunnel is quite unique. One of the only road and rail tunnels in the world where they share the same 'track' because it is so narrow! But don't worry, the tunnel is strictly regulated. Every half an hour the direction changes and the vehicles are let through. If a train is coming, you will be held back on either side.

The queueing is sensible and structured so the trucks are in one queue, cars in another. If you arrive early you'll have to wait. Some people get out and have a look but there isn't really anywhere to go - no restrooms or coffee shop so plan your times carefully. If you are a minute late, they won't let you through,

Other reviewers suggest the smell of damp water is worth sniffing as you drive through, but we were on a coach so couldn't vouch for that!

Travel through the tunnel is less than 5 minutes and you can see the light...