top of page

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. The Public Roads Administration tackled the task of organizing civilian engineers and equipment. Trucks, road-building equipment, food, tents, office furniture and other supplies all had to be located and then shipped north. By June, more than 10,000 American troops had poured into the Canadian North.

bottom of page