Dreaming of Alaska Road Trip

Taildragger,
Thanks for the update.
We may try to visit your state again in 2024.

Safe travels.
Stan

According to local news, the Alaska Governor met with the Yukon Premier in Whitehorse, Yukon recently.  The two leaders agreed to again work on the Alaska Highway, which seems perpetually gutted with frost heaves throughout its section from Whitehorse to the U.S. border near Northway. The frost heaves between Destruction Bay and the border are so bad they send vehicles with unsuspecting driver’s airborne, breaking axles and busting exhaust pipes.  Despite what many may think, Destruction Bay doesn’t get its name from the damage it can cause your vehicle.  The title results from storm damage during WWii that was so bad that it wiped out an entire camp housing individuals constructing the Alaska Highway.

Alaska is going to help with the cost of the highway repairs and also work to get some U.S. federal money to smooth out the frost heaves, since Americans are the primary contributors to the highway.
Meanwhile, over in Ottawa, Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault said last week that the Canadian federal government will stop investing in new road infrastructure, and instead work on getting people out of their cars and into “active transportation” like bicycles and walking, and into public transportation.

Guilbeault said existing road network in Canada “is perfectly adequate to respond to the needs we have.” The Trudeau government is putting an end to road expansion, he said. Instead, the government will use federal funds on projects to adapt to climate change and fight climate change, Guilbeault said.

Virtually impossible to see everything  in a summer of traveling to Alaska, priorities have to be established and consideration given to recommended trip highlights. Read information before departing and decide on what to see and where to go with options for those times the road forks and route alternatives are presented. Weather is often another consideration. And, one that sometimes cannot be ignored. Have alternatives to focus on as diversions when a planned air charter flight or open water fishing trip is cancelled because the conditions are not pretty, unknown, or otherwise unsafe.

There is one important choice when considering the route from Whitehorse to Tok Junction, Alaska. Because, actually, there are two routes. They are best considered as alternatives. Each with significant attractions and related gold rush history. Drive one route up and return via the option.

Early season travelers should consider proceeding direct to Tok Junction via the ALCAN. The direct route via Haines Junction will probably include lines of RV’s kicking up clouds of dust.

Stigmatized, for some reason, the Dawson City, Yukon and Top of the World Highway to the Taylor Highway in Alaska via Chicken visits gold mining towns, old provincial capital, and the associated history. A seasonal road, the route is closed during the period of winter conditions. The Border Crossing and Yukon River ferry’s opening are announced by travel information sources.

Years and years ago, a short stretch of the ALCAN immediately south of Beaver Creek with legendary permafrost generated an experiment for the U.S. Department of Transportation and other public agencies. They approved the use of thermosyphons being placed along the corridor. Theoretically allowing cold air to penetrate the road embankment and minimize thaw of the permafrost. An extensive project to keep the frozen roadbed in place and prevent further damage to the underlying structure, I haven’t heard any official assessment of its effectiveness.  The tubes remain.  All in a disarray, I doubt they were considered worth maintenance.

My most recent experience, summer before this last,  I observed widening cracks running along the medial length of that several miles long stretch. Obviously, wide enough to swallow even the most robust sized tires, the fissures are an issue.

Watch for flags indicating road damage and drive slowly or suffer the consequences. Damaged pavement, bumps, dips, deep potholes, and gravel breaks are constanly lurking along this stretch

Link to current road conditions for British Columbia

https://drivebc.ca/#mapView&ll=54.8833%2C-122.6667&z=5

Those of us who are currently interested in driving the ALCAN appreciate a source with timely information about highway conditions.  News coverage has been vague and maybe even misleading.  According to the official website, there is a fifty-mile length of highway in the area of Ft Nelson that is currently closed because of the fires.