Evening star., 1942-09-24
AIaska-C,aI,ada
Road Ready for
Army by Dec. |
1,600-MiIe Highway
To Be Completed
Ahead of Schedule

The 1,600-mile Canadian
Alaska military highway will be
ready for use by December /,
several months ahead of sched-
ule and in time to take full ad-
vantage of the winter freeze,
Secretary of War Stimson an
nounced today.
With the Japanese lodged in the
Aleutian Islands, threatening the
Alaskan coast and the possible
northern water route to Russia, the
Army is planning to maintain q
steady flow of trucks and material
over the two-way highway when
roads and, rivers are frozen hard
Winter traffic will reach its peak
during the months before April and
May, 1943. when thaws and exces-
sive moisture, following the break
up OF winter, will make the road
unsuitable for heavy traffic.
Road Il Well Built.
Not only is the highway being
completed months ahead of sched-
ule, Mr.. Stimson said, but instead OF
the contemplated rough pioneer"
road, the "Alcan highway as it is
now being constructed by the Corps
OF Engineers is well-graded, we'll
drained truck road for practically
its entire length and will afford
two-way traffic over many long
stretches"
Mr.. Stimson said that muskeg, the
bog moss that was expected to give
the highway an unsteady base over
long stretches and provide some OF
the worst problems Of the under
taking. had proved to be a minol
consideration.
The engineers report that tn,
threats OF muskeg proved wholly
unfounded," said hts announcement
Most Of it has been successful,
skirted and that which was un
avoidable has been overcome Will
corduroy roads"
The highway, beginning at Daw
son Greek, British Columbia. run
northwest, to Whiteherse, ,Yuko,
Territory, then crosses the qAlaskar
boundary, terminating at Fair
banks. It connects with the raj
and highway systems OF Southern
Canada and the United States a
Dawson Greek, and not only pro
vides motor highway to Alaska
put serves also as a feeder rout,
for various military airfields which
previously had to depend on al,
transport alone for all supplies.
Under agreement between tn,
United States and Canada. the hieh.
way was undertaken by the Arm,
Engineers as q military project. Or
September 10 the War Department
announced creation of the North
west Service Command, with head.
quarters at Whitehorse, to handle
Army highway and railroad con-
struction and all supply services In
Western Canada and Alaska. Similar
to the nine service commands, for
merly called corps areas, in conti-
mental United States, the new COM
mand is headed by Brig. Gen. James
A. O'Connor, previously in charge OF
construction on the southern section
Of the highway.
Winter Maintenance Planned.
Army arrangements for winter
maintenance of the road include rest
camps for the operators of truck
conveys, barracks for engineer main
tenance troops, and weather obser-
vation and telephone installations
the length OF the highway.
Construction began in March
Crews and equipment were trans
ported to several locations along the
route before thaws made the trails
impossible, and work was started
simultaneously at various points
After aerial surveys and ground
reconnaissance on foot, bulldozers
tractors and other heavy equipment
were put to work on the actual road
building.