The Alaska Highway (also known as the
Alaskan Highway,
Alaska-Canadian Highway, or
ALCAN Highway) was constructed during
World War II for the purpose of connecting the contiguous
U.S. to
Alaska through
Canada. It begins at the junction with several
Canadian highways in
Dawson Creek, British Columbia and runs to
Delta Junction, Alaska, via
Whitehorse, Yukon. Completed in
1942, it was 2,237 km or 1,390 mi long, but is becoming shorter due to rerouting. The historic end of the highway is near milepost 1422, where it meets the
Richardson Highway in Delta Junction, Alaska, about 160 km (99 mi) southeast of
Fairbanks. Mileposts on the Richardson Highway are numbered from
Valdez, Alaska. The Alaska Highway is popularly (but unofficially) considered part of the
Pan-American Highway, which extends south to
Argentina.
Further information about the highway can be found at
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alaska_highway
Detailed summary of scenes in this film:
AVs, snowcapped mountain peaks and hazardous terrain in Alaska.
CUs, animated map of route along highway from
Canada to Alaska.
CUs,
US troops disembarking.
Street scenes in
Alaskan towns. Seq:
Mass of bulldozers at work in snow, rain, and in marshes; building roads and bridges.
MSs, MCUs, truck convoy crossing wooden bridges, snow-covered roads, and entering Fairbanks.
CUs,
sign, "bad ice"; various scenes, trucks skidding on icy roads.
LS, railroad station at
Skagway.
Camera follows train through mountains showing hazards of ice and snow through which it must pass.
VS,
Whitehorse, Canada; stores, streets, and people of area.
Short scene,
US Army engineers attend ceremony at which one enlisted man is presented a medal for heroism in connection with construction of Alaskan highway.
Pan, line of persons outside
US Government liquor store in
Whitehorse.
VS, construction crews at work on highway during summer season. Animated map, Whitehorse, Canada to
Fairbanks, Alaska showing the Haines cut-off.
VS, US Army
Engineer Corps at work on construction of cut-off.
VS, along river's edge.
FS through wooded area to
Indian village.
Civilian contractors clear timber, grade and surface roads. All types of construction equipment in operation.
AVs, temporary flight strips under construction along highway.
VS,
Army engineers constructing strips.
Ground views, construction of hangars, new runways, and aprons to improve airfields.
Planes landing.
LS, US
Lend Lease planes marked with red star on field.
VS, bridges nearing completion.
Peace River Bridge which is
2275' long is officially opened in
August 1943.
Numerous scenes of dedication ceremonies commemorating the opening.
Head-on shot, first official cargo to cross the
peace River Bridge.
VS, vehicles on highway leading from
Dawson Creek, Canada to Whitehorse.
VS, construction of relay stations along route to service and refuel trucks.
AV,
Canol Project area which was built as refueling system for vehicles passing over Alaskan highway.
US Army engineers spreading dirt over that portion of highway which remains permanently frozen throughout the entire year.
This film has been made available to the general public thanks to the US Government "Fedflix" initiative.
Ella73TV - https://www.youtube.com/user/Ella73TV2 - A curated collection of old films, newsreels & archive footage spanning the
20th century. #Alaska #
Transport
- published: 15 Oct 2011
- views: 228262