Behind a 1,522-Mile Highway Connecting Alaska to the Yukon | Modern Marvels (S9, E4) | Full Episode

I lived in Alaska for three years in the late 70's. I've driven the Alcan Hwy three times, the first being in 1977 when it was almost entirely gravel. There was a 10 mile stretch of paved road on either side of Whitehorse, Yukon. When one got to the Alaska state line, then the road was paved the rest of the way. The last time I drove it, 1979, was in early summer. When the car got down into British Columbia and on down into the Lower 48 states people would stop and stare at the dirtiest car they had ever seen. That was from all the gravel and dirt over that 1500+ miles. And, if it rained on that gravel road, it was slimey slick. The hwy had not been straightened much then. I am surprised the documentary did not mention Destruction Bay. That is one sad story of the building of the hwy. I will say that the best Oriental food I have ever eaten is at a restaurant at Watson Lake. In a way, I am sad that it is all paved. It was quite an adventure driving that gravel road with no speed limit anywhere. Vehicles left a rooster tail of gravel flying thru the air. One didn't get close to a vehicle in front of one. One carried extra 5 gallon cans of gas and it was not uncommon to have windshields and headlights busted out from flying gravel. I would like to drive it one more time before I pass just to see how easy it is now. It was a wonderful adventure the three times I drove it. That hwy is so stunningly beautiful. It is a true testament to American ingenuity that it got built when and how it did.

Thank ALL OF YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE ❤❤❤

I lived in Fairbanks, Alaska for 7 years (1980's). The winter there is brutal. I drove a small portion of the Alaska Highway. It amazed me that such an engineering marvel was accomplished. Bravo to all the veterans who built it!

They thought they were just building a road, they were actually building history💪💪 Appreciate your service fellas.

My grandfather was a surveyor during the construction. I've ridden it twice on a motorcycle. 84+86

I thank all those guys, no matter of race or nationality. and to those that treated others unfairly, well I can't say it on here but you can bet it's not a good comment.

My uncle John was a Cat Skinner, a bulldozer operator on the AlCan highway after they completed the the road , he thought he would get rotated back Stateside. Didn’t happen , he was sent to the Aleutian Islands , then later to Fairbanks. For several years. . He didn’t actually get back to the lower 48 until the Mid 50s I’m not surprised that when he retired after 20+ years he chose to retire in San Antonio.

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I’m now in my 60’s and finally got my life long dream to live in Alaska it’s so beautiful I will never leave I’ve been here for just over 3 years and love every thing about The alcan hwy is beautiful everyone needs to see it I’ve traveled it three times now and want to do it again

Drove it in 74 and 76 when it was all dirt just Wild.