The Alaska Highway (French: Route de l'Alaska; also known as the Alaskan Highway, Alaska-Canadian Highway, or ALCAN Highway) was constructed during World War II to connect the contiguous United States to Alaska across Canada.

Construction of the “Alcan” Highway (ALCAN was the military acronym for the Alaska-Canada Highway) officially began on March 9, 1942. A massive mobilization of men and equipment took place in that first month following the executive order to build a military road to Alaska.

Alaska Highway, road (1,387 miles [2,232 km] long) through British Columbia, Yukon, and Alaska. It was previously called the Alaskan International Highway, the Alaska Military Highway, and the Alcan (Alaska-Canadian) Highway.

The original Peace River Bridge was built in 1942 by the US Public Roads Administration as part of the wartime construction of the Alaska Highway. At the time of its opening it was considered one of the great bridges in the Dominion of Canada.

Although there are few signs of the original Alaska Highway, you can keep track of the highway's history with these markers. The Alcan From Neal Gosman, a well-illustrated look at highway, particularly the 95th Engineers' part in building it.

As the main access route to a region that was named after the original inhabitants' descriptive names Alyeska ("the Great Land") and Yukon ("The Great River"), the highway offers a unique, never-to-be-forgotten experience for those who come prepared to look and listen carefully.

Although the Alaska Highway of today might not physically resemble the pioneer road, it still serves its original purpose of providing a land-based connection to move goods and people between Alaska and the 48 contiguous United States.

Built in 1942 in just eight months, the 2500 km (1570 miles) highway was a significant feat of time critical engineering and construction. Besides being completed much sooner than expected, the Alaska Highway was the largest undertaking at the time for a northern construction project.

1867, March 30 - the United States buys Alaska from Russia, for $7.2 million. Pressure to provide reliable transportation to Alaska soon begins. 1896, August 15 - gold is discovered in the Klondike, and strong lobbying begins for construction of a land access route.

Alaska Highway DESCRIPTION : Located in the United States and Canada, the original route of the 1520 mile (2432km) highway constructed in 1942, consisted of 298 miles (477km) in Alaska, 655 miles (1048km) in British Columbia and 567 miles (907km) in Yukon.