Transportation

Location

Whittier, AK

Owner

Alaska DoT & Public Facilities

Contractor

Kiewit Construction Company

Value

$60 million

In June 1998, Kiewit Construction Company, a subsidiary of Kiewit Corporation, began work on the award-winning Whittier Access Tunnel, Alaska's first design-build transportation project. Crews converted the 1940s-era railroad tunnel into a state-of-the-art multi-use rail/automobile tunnel.

The scope of work for this $60 million project included increasing the crown height by an average of 1.5 ft. to allow installation of six 75-hp jet fans. Also installed were four 300-hp portal fans designed to blow smoke and fumes away from motorists in the event of fire or other emergency. Crews demolished existing buildings at both ends of the tunnel, replacing them with A-frame structures capable of withstanding avalanches. A first in American tunnel construction, eight "safe houses" were constructed throughout the 2.6-mi.-long tunnel, each capable of providing a fireproof haven for up to 55 people.

Crews battled high winds and dealt with 40-ft. average annual snowfalls. Service train operations had to continue during construction of the 16-ft.-wide tunnel, which presented many scheduling and safety concerns for crews. Due to tight scheduling, team members placed heavy emphasis on Partnering. The close cooperation between client, designer and contractor allowed the project to progress at an accelerated pace.

Additional Markets