The road's yearly traffic count for 2010 was 234,738 vehicles. Winter hindered the construction of the tunnel until mid November, when a small "snowshed" building was constructed. [64] The official opening ceremony was held on June 7 and was marked by protests from environmentalists. [32], The earliest evidence of the Portage Valley being used for transportation dates back to early A.D, when the Inuit people used the flat, low-lying valley as a pass through the Chugach Mountains. Kenai Lake has a good sandy swim­ming beach and a trail that fol­lows along near­by Quartz Creek. Experience the wild beauty of Alaska by train with the Alaska Railroad. [38] The U.S. Army hired the West Construction Company of Boston, MA. [58], District judge James Keith Singleton, Jr.'s opinion[54], James Keith Singleton, Jr., the district judge overseeing the case, ruled in favor of Armbrister and the Federal Highway Administration and stated that the agency was correct in its decision against improved rail service. 20. This page is updated hourly. [Railway Gazette International September 2015 pg55, Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities, Citizens to Preserve Overton Park v. Volpe, "Alaska Forest Highway Route Descriptions", "FH-35, Portage Glacier and Portage Loop", "Gen-Sets Provide Standby Support For Nation's Longest Vehicle Tunnel", "The Whittier Access Project: Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel", http://dot.alaska.gov/creg/whittiertunnel/schedule.shtml, "Whittier Tunnel, Transportation & Public Facilities, State of Alaska: Schedules and Hours of Operation", http://dot.alaska.gov/creg/whittiertunnel/vehiclesize.shtml, "Overview Map of Portage Glacier Highway", "National Highway system (NHS) Route List", "The National Highway System: A Commitment to America's Future", "Benefits abound for late-season camping", "Non-Interstate System Toll Bridges and Tunnels in the United States", "Building the Road to Whittier in Alaska", "The Whittier Access Project – State of the Art Engineering for Alaska", "The Whittier Road case: the demise of Section 4(f) since Overton Park and its implications for alternatives analysis in environmental law", "Alaska Center for the Environment v. Armbrister", "The road to prosperity: state sees funding increase of nearly 50 percent", "Editorial: Civil engineering group recognizes outstanding project", "Roughing It: Kiewit Construction Takes on the Tough Jobs", "Alaska town fears flood of visitors when car tunnel opens", Template:Attached KML/Portage Glacier Highway, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Portage_Glacier_Highway&oldid=1002428741, Transportation in Unorganized Borough, Alaska, Pages containing links to subscription-only content, Short description is different from Wikidata, Infobox road temporary tracking category 1, Pages using infobox road with unknown parameters, Articles containing potentially dated statements from 2012, All articles containing potentially dated statements, Jctint template hatnote tracking category, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, Western terminus. Passing by the Cliffside Marina and the Alaska Railroad Whittier Depot, the route crosses over Whittier Creek before immediately making a left onto Whittier Street, crossing the railroad and bending southeastward and traveling past a large parking lot, the headquarters. Things to Do in Alaska, United States: See Tripadvisor's 674,124 traveler reviews and photos of Alaska tourist attractions. Visit other members of After about 1.2 miles (1.9 km), the roadway intersects a small gravel road that leads to the Moose Flats Day Use area, which has access to several scenic hiking trails. [8][21], The highway is maintained by the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (AkDOT&PF). FFH-35 begins at an intersection with the Seward Highway (AK-1) in Portage. Girdwood Health Clinic, Inc. Providing healthcare to the Turnagain Arm communities of Girdwood, Hope, Bird Creek, Indian, Sunrise and Portage Alaska regardless of the ability to pay. Work on the project was ruled off until at least mid-July of that year. Cast your line for some awe­some fly-fish­ing at the creek or look for the near­by horse sta­ble for a scenic ride. 1880-1990 Censuses. [33][34] The Dena'ina people continued using the valley as a passage between Cochrane Bay and the Turnagain Arm. Anchorage technically stretches across 1,955 square miles, from the Alaska Native village of Eklutna all the way to Portage Glacier south of town. Alaska U KEWAUNEE Pierce Alban T PORTAGE Albany T GREEN Albany V GREEN Albany T PEPIN Albion T DANE Albion T JACKSON Albion T TREMPEALEAU Alden T POLK Alderly U DODGE Ashippun Algoma C KEWAUNEE Algoma T WINNEBAGO Allen U EAU CLAIRE Clear Creek Allens Grove U WALWORTH Darien Allenton U WASHINGTON Addison Allenville U … The roadway bends eastward, passing the USFS Williwaw Campgrounds, as well as several small gravel roads. The estimated AADT for the Portage Glacier Highway is 1,030 vehicles. For Yukon and Alaska hotels, look no further than the Westmark collection. The suit was compared to the landmark 1971 case Citizens to Preserve Overton Park v. Volpe, wherein the Supreme Court of the United States ruled in favor of Memphis, Tennessee citizens attempting to protect Overton Park from a plan to route Interstate 40 through 26 acres (11 ha) of its forest. [40] By 1953, the earthen road in Portage Valley had generally been relocated near the location of the present highway. The ACE appealed the decision and the case went to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. The Portage Glacier Highway, or Portage Glacier Road, is a highway located in the U.S. state of Alaska. The roadway continues through central Whittier before reaching a four-way intersection with Blackstone Road, Eastern Avenue, and Depot Road, after which the route transfers to the latter. to assist in the construction of the future railroad's two tunnels. If you're looking for the best trails around Anchorage, Juneau or Fairbanks, we've got you covered. Larger or heavier vehicles have to be carried as rail transport. Five previous champions will be competing: Iditarod champion and five-time K300 winner Pete Kaiser of Bethel, who won the Bogus in 2008. The monthly and yearly counts are taken at the entrance to the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel. [62] On October 23, a thirteen-car train derailed at the western entrance. [15] The tunnel's eastern terminus is in Whittier. Kiewit began planning the tunnel design in June 1998, and began work on the project sometime around September. In late April, the U.S. Army's 177th Engineering group began work on clearing and grading the former native trail. [52] On May 22, 1997, construction of the project was halted. The project would be named the "Whittier Access Project". The study presented five solutions — increasing the existing flatcar service, installing a high-speed electric rail service, constructing a series of highways over the mountain range, building a highway and tunnels through the mountain range, and constructing a highway to the existing railroad tunnel and expanding the tunnel to withstand motor vehicles. The entire highway is located within the Municipality of Anchorage, Alaska. The tunnel is 445 feet (136 m) long[11] and constructed of concrete. This is a great spot to cool off on a hot day. [40], In March 1996, the state of Alaska announced its final plans for the construction of the Whittier Access Project. our travel family: Do you have a Group, Corporate or Promo Code? The switching of the railroad from Seward to Portage Bay will also come within the near future, and for the same reason. Portage Glacier - Southcentral Alaska, view of Portage lake [43] Also around that time, a road in Whittier in the location of the present highway existed as a graded, dirt road. Bartender/Server The Cave Wine Bar and Grille. [42] The first part of the tunnel construction involved vertically and horizontally expanding the existing rock walls. Beginning from the western entrance, Kiewit drilled away several feet of the rock face from the top of the tunnel and installed a net to prevent any potential rockfalls. Bird Creek Campground. This sparked the need for the completion of the tunnel earlier than expected. The route follows the Portage Glacier Highway for approximately 5 miles (8.0 km), passing several park campgrounds and scenic turnouts. See the latest train schedules, book tickets, and explore Alaskan train routes and excursions. Then-governor Knowles performed a ribbon-cutting and rode through the tunnel in a 1954-model Cadillac. I further certify that I am a resident of Alaska and I have not been convicted of a felony, or having been so convicted, have been unconditionally discharged from incarceration, probation and/or parole. Alaska Weather Page Trains ran daily during the summer, so work was restricted to about nine-hour shifts during the night. [2][27] A viewing area for the Explorer Glacier is located near milepost 2, and a turnout for the Portage River is located near milepost 3. Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel. [49], In 1993, the AkDOT&PF finally initiated the study for the alternative transportation system to Whittier. The entrance portals are designed to withstand the force of an avalanche. This is a statistical calculation of the average daily number of vehicles that travel along a portion of the highway. [50] However, the project was met with much controversy, and by December 1996, the project still had not begun. Alaska Administrative Code, Title 17. The highway continues to the six-lane Bear Valley Staging area, and the toll booth for the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel. [57] Construction continued for a week, until May 31, but was then halted again due to the lawsuit. [2] The highway continues in a southeasterly direction along the Portage Valley, with Portage Creek to the north and pine forests to the south. Parts of the route were first constructed in the early 1900s, and the entire highway was completed on June 7, 2000, as part of the Whittier Access Project. The floor of the tunnel is constructed of 1,800 texturized concrete panels, each 7.5 by 8 feet (2.29 by 2.44 m), with the railroad tracks sunken slightly below the road surface. Native Village of Nanwalek. [33][36] It was possible for boats to travel through the valley by using the Passage Canal and the creek up until 1913. This portion of the route terminates at the Placer Creek Bridge. Latitude and longitude of Alaska is 54° 40' N to 71° 50' N and 130° W to 173° E. Use our Alaska lat long map to find coordinates anywhere in the state. Ugashik Village. Best Time To Visit The best time to visit Anchorage is during the summer because it gets up to 18 hours of sun some days. [42][63], Construction work was completed on schedule, in early 2000. FAA Aviation Weather Cameras, a supplementary weather product for current weather conditions and planning purposes. [61][63] Following expansion of the tunnel, one of the first steps the crews took was to demolish the existing entrance portals. The Bogus Creek 150 roster is stacked with winners from previous Bogus races. West Construction and the Army began working on the tunnel under Mount Maynard in late August 1941. The protests were useless, and on April 3, 1941, U.S. Congress passed a bill providing the project with $5.3 million (equivalent to $92,126,500 respectively in 2021[39]). Portage Valley is home to the marvelous sights of the Portage Glacier, as well as the Portage Valley RV Park-the only park in the valley to offer electric, water, and a dump station! Portage Glacier Highway highlighted in red. The city is within the Chugach Census Area, one of the two entities established in 2019 when the former Valdez–Cordova Census Area was dissolved. Alaska House organizes, but without a clear majority Andrew Kitchenman, KTOO and Alaska Public Media Anchorage Democratic Rep. Geran Tarr breaks from Alaska … [2][7] The staging areas on either end of the tunnel can accommodate as many as 450 vehicles waiting to pass through. While crews were working on the tunnel, a drunken Whittier resident drove his or her truck into the tunnel and got it stuck on the rails. 12.6 Glenn Hwy. [23] The entire length of the highway is designated as an Intermodal Connector Route,[24] part of the National Highway System (NHS),[25] a network of roads important to the country's economy, defense, and mobility. ... (A hub) of roads will grow out of Anchorage because of its strategic location as the head of defenses in the Territory. It continues past a small turnout area and travels over a small creek before proceeding eastward to its eastern terminus, a building and parking lot that make up part of the visitor center.[9][66]. [7] At this point, the highway is a two-lane, asphalt road. NO ⚫ ♿ ♿ ♿ ⚫ Eagle River Campground* $20. [2] The road continues into the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel. FFH 35 turns off the Portage Glacier Highway onto Portage Lake Loop Road, passing west of the Begich, Boggs Visitor Center Complex. Westmark offers an assortment of full service Alaska and Yukon hotels that are perfect places to kick your feet up during a business trip or vacation up north. The tunnel uses a combination of portal fans and reversible jet fans to ensure proper air flow and air quality throughout the tunnel. Portage, Alaska. The Alaska Railroad would allow vehicles to drive onto flatcars, which would then be transported by train through the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel to Whittier. Portage Glacies formerly extended from the mountains to a few miles from the highway to the Kenai Peninsula. The tunnel is open from 5:30 a.m. to 11:15 p.m. during summer months, and from 7:00 a.m. to 10:45 p.m. during winter months. These maps reflect the boundaries as of the 2000 Census. [22] In addition to taking AADT, the AkDOT&PF also takes monthly and yearly counts for the highway. The first phase of construction consisted of building the Portage Creek Bridge and the construction of a new tunnel through Begich Peak. [2][8], Moose can be seen along the highway, as well as black and brown bears. However, unlike in that case, the Whittier Access project was found to be the only feasible solution for a link to Whittier. [10] The highway continues onto the Portage Creek Bridge, which is 114 feet (35 m) long. [u]nlike the city of Memphis, Alaska is not limited to a few `green havens.' The trail provides views of the Middle Glacier. Section 17.38.035. While that was being completed, some crews installed a series of anti-icing insulation panels and drainage pipes to keep the tunnel clear during winter months. The first boring of the tunnel began on the east side of the mountain, and shortly afterwards, construction on the west side began. [51] Construction of the Whittier Access Project finally began on May 6, 1997. Alaska's Gold Creek Lodge. [15] The interior is exposed rock, and contains several "safe-houses", which are small buildings that are used in case of severe earthquakes, vehicle fires, or other emergencies. Eklutna. The material removed from the tunnel was used as grading material for other parts of the railway. Palmer - Southcentral Alaska, two miles north of Palmer. The port boomed in the mid-1940s, with the population reaching over 1,000. [2][8] At the turnout for the Begich, Boggs Visitor Center is the Byron Glacier Trail as well as several others. 26.5 Glenn Hwy. Chugach * NOT federally recognized, but OK to list on form. [20], After exiting the tunnel, the highway enters the nine-lane Whittier staging area, where it passes several of the tunnel's automated control systems. [13][14], The redesigned tunnel is fitted with a combined single uni-directional highway lane and single-track railway. Vehicles pulling trailers must pay a higher toll, set at $22. Unfortunately you can no longer see the glacier from the highway and the only ways to get close to the actual glacier are by boat across Portage Lake or by taking the train (or your vehicle) through the tunnel to Whittier. The court upheld Singleton's decision, finding that the project only affected a very small amount of parkland and that the road was necessary to meet the requirements for a link to the city. (Ester) • Bear Paw • Bearman Cabin • Beaver • Beaver Cr. The U.S. entered World War II on December 8, 1941, after the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor. The portion of the Portage Glacier Highway traveling from the Seward Highway to the Begich, Boggs Visitor Center is designated as part of Forest Highway 35, a Federal Forest Highway (FFH). South Naknek Village. During winter months, trains were only operating during four days each week. [11] It allows the highway to cross over the small Portage Creek, which drains Portage Lake, in turn fed by Portage Glacier. Say yes to a summer adventure in Alaska! The highway passes through a low-lying wetland before reentering forest and providing access to the Alder Pond Day Use area and the Portage Valley RV park. The classic Alaska Cruise, offered by such companies as Holland America, Princess, and Royal Caribbean. These systems control the timing of vehicles entering the tunnel, spacing them for safety, and lower railroad gates when a train is approaching. The designation then shifts from Portage Lake Loop Road to Byron Glacier Road, which proceeds southward past low-lying marshland along Portage Lake. [45][46], Between the late 1950s and the early 1960s, the U.S. Military pulled out of Whittier, allowing the town to grow as a commercial port. [18] Pedestrians and bicycles are prohibited in Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel[19], Track circuits in the tunnel had problems because of moisture; in 2015 these were replaced with axle counters. Anchorage’s Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport is the state’s main air hub, and it’s no stretch to say all roads (in Alaska anyway) lead to Anchorage as well. Mi. In preparation for the highway, Anchorage businessman Pete Zamarello purchased the Buckner Building, and planned to convert it into a resort. The town government also approved of several long-term changes to the city that would begin after the road was opened, including a second harbor, a bicycle trail, a new sidewalk system, and shopping center. … The bridge, which is just 83 feet (25 m) long,[11] spans over Placer Creek, the smaller of the two creeks feeding Portage Lake. Part of the job of the AkDOT&PF is to measure traffic along the highway. Small buses and regular RVs are charged $38, while large buses must pay $137. In November 1995, an environmental impact statement, created by HDR Alaska, was approved by the Federal Highway Administration, allowing the project to proceed. BATTLE CREEK, Mich. — As Battle Creek kicked off 2021, construction, orange cones and new developments were seen for miles across Cereal City. The plan called for the existing railroad to be transferred to Whittier, and for the construction of a road to Seward (the Seward Highway), a road to the Richardson Highway (the Glenn Highway and the Tok Cut-Off), and a road to the Portage Valley (the Portage Glacier Highway). King Salmon, Alaska. This was the first road to exist in the Portage Valley. The 2 miles (3.2 km) long loop Williwaw Nature Trail is accessible through the Williwaw Campground. Prohibitions. The tunnel also contains several pull-outs, which are reserved for disabled vehicles. [53] Carl S. Armbrister, the Director of the Office of Planning and Program Development for the Federal Highway Administration's 10th Region and head of the project was sued by several environmental agencies and tourism groups, headed by the Alaska Center for the Environment (ACE). Supplies were received behind schedule, mainly due to the war. [7], The Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel, often called the Whittier Tunnel after the town at its eastern terminus, is a dual-use ("bimodal") highway and railroad tunnel that passes under Maynard Mountain. When a train was scheduled to come through the tunnel, crews reported they had to spend "up to two hours breaking down equipment, getting it all outside and waiting for the train to pass before heading back into the mountain". A short, 0.25 miles (0.40 km) long boardwalk trail and the 4.6 miles (7.4 km) long Trail of Blue Ice are accessible through the Moose Flats Day-Use area. The main portion of the highway traveling from the western terminus to the Begich, Boggs visitors center is designated as National Forest Highway 35 by the United States Forest Service (USFS). The Portage Glacier can be seen on a short cruise on the M/V Ptarmigan; the glacier is no longer visible from the road. [2] Past milepost 6 is a turnout for the Byron Glacier and Portage Lake. The road serves the Portage Glacier branch of the park. Although no workers were injured, a substantial amount of the equipment was destroyed. [13], The tunnel can accommodate either eastbound traffic, westbound traffic, or the Alaska Railroad but only one at any given time. Find what to do today or anytime in February. The route proceeds on to a 0.5 mi (0.8 km) portion of road known as the "Rock Cut at Portage Lake" by the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF). [7] As motor vehicle speed in the tunnel is limited to 25 miles per hour (40 km/h), it takes about ten minutes to travel from end to end. The highway is made up of a series of roads, bridges, and tunnels that connect the Portage Glacier area of the Chugach National Forest and the city of Whittier to the Seward Highway. Posted: Feb 16, 2021. Bald eagles can occasionally be seen from the highway. [2][8] Peaks of the Chugach Mountains, along with several hanging glaciers can be seen from the road; Portage Glacier is out of view. [40] The AkDOT&PF authorized HDR Alaska to conduct the study. [23] The roadway's highest monthly traffic is in mid-summer, when an average of nearly 50,000 vehicles use the tunnel each month. 58 NO ♿ ♿ ♿ ⚫ ⚫ 2. Work for an amazing cause in beautiful Portage, Alaska! [42] Whittier began to grow after the completion of the railroad spur. The tunnel operates from early morning until late evening on a schedule that varies seasonally and according to construction and maintenance needs. Construction of the highway, done by Herndon and Thompson Inc., was finished before tunnel work began. 57. [27] Whittier annually holds the Walk to Whittier, which is an event where pedestrians walk through the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel to Whittier, the only time pedestrians may use the tunnel. Platinum - On Goodnews Bay in Southwestern Alaska. In Alaska, boroughs are created and communities incorporate or annex territory. Alaska Boroughs/Census Areas – 1990; Alaska Boroughs/Census Areas – 1980; Alaska Census Divisions – 1970; Alaska Election Districts – 1960; Alaska Judicial Districts – 1950 Western end of FFH-35 designation, Visitor Center access road. The winter conditions of 1942 and 1943 slowed the progress of the tunnels. In June 1942, Japanese forces attacked and invaded the Alaskan islands of Attu and Kiska, again provoking the need to complete the tunnels sooner. The Department of Public Safety (DPS) is the state agency charged with providing functions relative to the protection of life, property, and wildlife resources. Twin Hills. South Naknek. Whittier's location made it a large tourist location, and after the military pullout, travel to Whittier grew massively. Depot Road splits away from the highway, which continues for a short distance along Dock Access Road before reaching its eastern terminus, the AMHS pier. With premium conference and meeting facilities, unparalleled customer service and attention to detail, the Westmark experience is one that satisfies even the most selective travelers. These rulings were legally significant as they appeared to overturn the precedent established in the Overton Park case, which was interpreted as saying that "it must be shown that the implications of not building [a] highway pose an `unusual situation'". Matt Scott of Bethel, who won the race in 2020 and returns as the reigning champion. Last update: Friday February 19, 2021 12:53 AKST. In addition to the state's paving of the highway, the Alaska Railroad began offering shuttle services between Portage and Whittier in the mid-1960s. NO ⚫ ♿ ⚫ ⚫ ⚫ Girdwood. Mi. Seasonal. The final party to attempt to use the trail that year was forced to climb 3,000 feet (914 m) up the Portage Shoulder to avoid the drop-offs and crevasses that had formed along the trail. Eklutna Campground & Trailhead $20. [13], Vehicle convoys enter the tunnel in alternating directions every half hour. For Yukon and Alaska hotels, look no further than the Westmark collection. The road continues along Passage Canal for a short distance, while traveling towards the Alaska Marine Highway (AMHS) pier. Vehicles that are exempt from paying tolls are those owned by the Alaska Railroad, the DOT&PF, or any emergency or law enforcement vehicle. Transportation and Public Facilities, Chapter 17.38. [33][35] Russian fur traders and early settlers continued to use the valley, establishing a trail along the creek and the Portage and Burns glaciers. [40][42], The Kiewit Construction Company, based in Omaha, Nebraska, was awarded the contract for phase two, redesigning the Anton Anderson Tunnel. The event has been held since 2002, except it was not held in 2010. Eastern end of FFH-35 designation, Portage Glacier Highway transfers to Whittier Street, Portage Glacier Highway transfers to Depot Road, Eastern terminus and access to Alaska Marine Highway ferry terminal, End of designation along Portage Glacier Highway, Beginning of designation along Byron Glacier Road, Portage Glacier Observation Area Parking Lot, This page was last edited on 24 January 2021, at 11:56. Mi. Forest Highways are funded and administered by the USFS and the Federal Highway Administration;[4] the system was created by the Federal Aid Highway Act of 1921. Use code SAVE10 to save 10% off the flexible rate. Learn more about current Travel Health Advisories, Westmark Fairbanks and McKinley Chalets are now accepting bookings. Togiak. The project was predicted to cost around $50 million, and the project was planned to begin later that year. Nenana - Nenana River Ice Classic. Department members enforce criminal laws, traffic laws and regulations, wildlife laws and regulations, fire laws and regulations, and are additionally responsible for a number of public safety related functions such as search … Admissions & Retail Clerk Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. The fee for a regular vehicle is $13, as is the price for motorcycles. [42] In addition to the accidents, crews had to work in extreme weather. Whittier is a city at the head of the Passage Canal in the U.S. state of Alaska, about 58 miles (93 km) southeast of Anchorage. Less than a week after the announcement of the plan, surveying of the area around Whittier was taking place in order to make sure of the safety of building the railroad terminal. [60][61] CH2M Hill was selected to design the approximately 1.5 miles (2.4 km) of highway that would connect the existing road to the Anton Anderson Tunnel. Chenega. Once they were destroyed, the existing rail was removed in sections. Aurora 101 – A Guide to Viewing the Northern Lights, 25 Amazing, Free and Fun Things to Do in Fairbanks, © 2020 Westmark Hotels, 450 Third Avenue West, Seattle, WA 98119-4002 | All Rights Reserved.

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