State hopes to open Whittier tunnel soon

WHITTIER - The state transportation department is pushing back the timetable for reopening the Whittier tunnel to road traffic to Wednesday.

DOT spokesman Roger Wetherell said the delay in reopening the road after a rock slide last week was caused by the discovery of much larger rocks in the rubble than first thought.

With the extended closure, Wetherell said free passenger rail service between Anchorage and Whittier on the Alaska Railroad will now continue through Tuesday.

Crews are removing tons of rock that fell on the road late April 11. The rail track was not affected.