The Alcan:
The Alaskan Highway
History of the Alaska Highway
The one event which had the greatest impact on every aspect of the Upper
Tanana region was the building of the Alaska Highway in 1942.
This 1,523 mile Canadian-Alaskan highway was roughed out by American Army
engineers in just seven months from Dawson Creek, British Columbia, to the
already completed Richardson Highway at Delta Junction, Alaska.
It was built as a supply route to military forces in Alaska during World War
II. The men worked tirelessly in lengthy shifts, sometimes in temperatures of
-40° F. A record temperature of -79° F was set during construction. This major
effort helped open Alaska to the rest of the world.
The project was then turned over to civilian contractors, who improved the
road with paving, rerouting, straightening, etc. It is these improvements which causes the
huge difference between actual miles between points and the historical mileposts used as
addresses. Even worse, Canada uses the metric system, giving distances in kilometers (the
distance from Dawson Creek to Fairbanks is usually given as 1,520 miles).
Distances given west of Dawson Creek are Historical Miles, which are still
used as addresses. The popular guidebook "Milepost" gives the historical
mileage at the Alaska Border Crossing as 1221.8, and the actual distance to Dawson Creek as
1189.8.
In 1971, customs moved from Tok to their
present location at Mile 1221.8 Alaska Highway, 93 miles SE of Tok.
Officials at this US border inspection station, Alcan, strongly
suggest travelers obtain the pamphlet Know Before You Go
before starting down the Alaska highway. Visitors going in either
direction are required to have enough funds to defray the cost of
their trip for the duration of their visit. If you have questions,
call (907) 774-2252.
The highway is all paved, mostly with oil and stones, a concoction called
"sealcoat". But no matter what summer you drive the highway, there are always
areas of construction or repaving with loose, dusty gravel. Prepare for lots of dust.
Major rerouting projects frequently tie up traffic and break windshields, sometimes
lasting for years, especially on the Canadian portion.
Consult with someone knowledgeable about preparations you will want to make
before you start driving the highway. These may include such things as bug screens for
windows and lights (to protect from rocks, as well) and rubber padding to shield the gas
tank. Signs when you start out will remind you to keep your lights on for the entire
length of the highway, even in the middle of the day.
Before you drive the Alcan, you should call Yukon Community Transportation
Services at (867) 667-3710 for a brochure giving construction areas, information and
emergency phone numbers, as well as radio stations with weather and road information
broadcasts. You may also want to stop at the Whitehorse Visitors' Center for an update.
There are many campgrounds along the highway, so you should have no trouble
finding a place to stop and take a break. NOTE: Camping or overnight
parking at rest areas is illegal in both British Columbia and Yukon Territory, as you will
find posted. Turnouts are plentiful on the highway, but amenities are not. Overnight
parking is allowed in Alaska unless posted.
We will be adding more information to this page later. In the meantime, you
might be interested in a story written by a long time Alaskan who traveled the
highway. Her story takes place at Stone Mountain. Just follow the story link above.
For more information on places to stop on the way up the highway to Fairbanks,
check out this site,
or pick up a copy of the "Milepost" magazine.
