Modern construction methods do not allow the permafrost to melt, either by building a gravel berm on top or replacing the vegetation and soil immediately with gravel. A corduroy road was built to restore the route, and corduroy still underlays old sections of highway in the area. In particular, some 100 miles of Alaska Highway route between Burwash Landing and Koidern, Yukon, became virtually impassable in May and June of 1943, as the permafrost melted, no longer protected by a layer of delicate vegetation. The easing of the Japanese invasion threat resulted in no more contracts being given to private contractors for upgrading of specific sections. One old log bridge can still be seen at the Aishihik river crossing. Bridges, which progressed during 1942 from pontoon bridges to temporary log bridges, were replaced with steel bridges where necessary only. Even then, there were many steep grades, a poor surface, switchbacks to gain and descend hills, and few or no guardrails.
Army commandeered equipment of all kinds, including local riverboats, railway locomotives, and housing originally meant for use in southern California.Īlthough the Alaska Highway was completed on Octoand was celebrated at Soldier’s Summit on November 21st (and broadcast by radio, the exact outdoor temperature censored due to wartime concerns), the “highway” was not usable by general vehicles until 1943. The Northern Alberta Railways) both east and west from Whitehorse after being ferried in via the White Pass and Yukon Route railway. There were four main thrusts in building the route: southeast from Delta Junction, Alaska toward a linkupĪt Beaver Creek, Yukon north then west from Dawson Creek (an advance group started from Fort Nelson, British Columbia after traveling on winter roads on frozen marshland from railway stations on The road was originally built mostly by the US Army as a supply route during World War II. Buy The Milepost (without cell service the book is your only source of info).Cell service is non-existent in many places for hours on end.It could be a few hours until your next stop If you’re hungry get food the next time it’s available.The Alaska Highway (also called the ALCAN Highway) is a long 1,390 mile road stretching from Delta Junction, Alaska at its northwestern end to Dawson Creek, British Columbia, Canada at its southeastern end. It is an invaluable 768 page book that documents the entire trip including every gas station and motel along the way. I'd like the ability to get 'nearest gas station that's reasonably on the route I'm taking.
The Alaska Highway An Adventure Any Time Of The Yearīefore you start planning your trip down the Alaska Highway, get “ The MILEPOST: Alaska Travel Planner“. When I'm traveling on a route and I ask for gas stations it gives me the gas stations that are 'physically' nearest.which are often behind me.