Northern Terminus of the Alcan
NORTHERN TERMINUS OF THE “ALCAN” MILITARY HIGHWAY TO ALASKA THIS HIGHWAY WAS CONSTRUCTED DURING WORLD WAR 2 AS A MILITARY SUPPLY ROUTE TO SUPPLY INTERIOR ALASKA MILITARY INSTALLATIONS AND AIRFIELDS ENROUTE. IN MARCH OF 1942, SEVEN ARMY REGIMENTS ASSISTED BY 47 CONTRACTORS AND THE PUBLIC ROADS ADMINISTRATION BEGAN CONSTRUCTION OF THE “PIONEER ROAD” WHICH, WORKING FROM DELTA JUNCTION SOUTH AND DAWSON CREEK NORTH, WAS COMPLETED WHEN THE CREWS MET AT SOLDIER’S SUMMIT ABOVE THE SOUTHERN SHORE OF KLUANE LAKE, YUKON TERRITORY, IN NOVEMBER OF THAT YEAR. AT THE PEAK OF CONSTRUCTION, 77 CONTRACTORS EMPLOYED OVER 15,000 MEN AND USED OVER 11,000 PIECES OF ROAD BUILDING EQUIP- MENT. TOTAL CONSTRUCTION COST FOR 1422 MILES WAS $115,000,000. Submitted by: Eric Goodill