Alaska Highway History

The Alaska Highway, or Alcan (Alaska-Canada Military Highway) begins at mile 0 in Dawson Creek, British Columbia, travels northwesterly through the Yukon Territory, and ends at mile 1520 in Fairbanks, Alaska.

Construction of the Alcan began in 1942, during World War II.  US Military leaders considered Alaska to be a vulnerable target for enemy invaders.  An overland supply route might be needed if the more commonly used water routes to Alaska were threatened. 

President Roosevelt authorized the highway to be built.  So, with little planning or consideration of how to accomplish such a task, the project began.  11,000 American troops, 7 regiments of engineers, 16,000 civilians, and 7000 pieces of equipment completed the job in 8 months, some during brutal winter conditions.  At that time the highway was dirt road, roughly scraped through the forest, with sharp curves, steep hills, and wooden bridges.

After the war, the Canadian government took over maintainence of the sections within their country.  In 1948 the Alcan became available for public transportation.  Over the years, many improvements have been done to shorten the distances, eliminate dangerous curves and hills, replace bridges, and make the road safer.

2017 marks the 75th anniversary of the Alaska Highway.

(reference: "The Milepost" 2017 edition)