Whittier Tunnel closed for emergency response, then dropped from 511

Road access to Whittier was cut off Monday. The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities closed all lanes of the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel in both directions near mile marker 6 at 12:30 p.m.

The department said the closure allows emergency services to respond to an incident in Whittier. The Alaska 511 alert lists the closure through Sept. 21 at 12:30 p.m., though listed end times on 511 alerts change as conditions change.

By 4 p.m. the closure was no longer listed on 511, though DOT&PF announced no reopening.

The tunnel is the only road link to Whittier, and it carries both highway and rail traffic on a published schedule with tolls.

DOT&PF has released no information on the nature of the incident, injuries, or a reopening time.

Drivers can check conditions by dialing 5-1-1 in Alaska or (866) 282-7577 from outside the state. The tunnel's line is 877-611-2586; waiting drivers can tune to AM 530 in Whittier or 1610 at Portage.