Photo #45306 - City of Dawson Creek, BC - MILE '0' The Alaska Highway Photo taken from the Northern Alberta Railway Park. In 1941, the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. This event forced the American and Canadian governments to re-evaluate their security. There was an need to shore up and protect the sovereignty of North America. In response, a secure land transportation link was needed to transfer goods, materials, and men from the continental states to Alaska. requiring 1,500 miles of road to be constructed, through the vast untamed wilderness of northern Canada and Alaska. Building in these northern areas would not be an easy feat; men and women would battle the mountains, muskegs, and mosquitoes. American troops arrived. In a matter of weeks the town's population exploded to 10,000. Seven regiments of American engineers (approximately 11,000 men, 16,000 civilians from Canada and the United States, and 7,000 pieces of equipment were thrown into action against some of the toughest and most unforgiving wilderness areas in the world. After nine months of intense construction, 250 soldiers, civilians, policemen, and government delegations from Canada and the United States, met at mile 1061, known as 'Soldiers Summit', where they cut the ribbon officially opening the 'Alcan' Highway. Highway 97

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City of Dawson Creek, BC - MILE '0' The Alaska Highway

Photo taken from the Northern Alberta Railway Park. In 1941, the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. This event forced the American and Canadian governments to re-evaluate their security. There was an need to shore up and protect the sovereignty of North America. In response, a secure land transportation link was needed to transfer goods, materials, and men from the continental states to Alaska. requiring 1,500 miles of road to be constructed, through the vast untamed wilderness of northern Canada and Alaska. Building in these northern areas would not be an easy feat; men and women would battle the mountains, muskegs, and mosquitoes. American troops arrived. In a matter of weeks the town's population exploded to 10,000. Seven regiments of American engineers (approximately 11,000 men, 16,000 civilians from Canada and the United States, and 7,000 pieces of equipment were thrown into action against some of the toughest and most unforgiving wilderness areas in the world. After nine months of intense construction, 250 soldiers, civilians, policemen, and government delegations from Canada and the United States, met at mile 1061, known as 'Soldiers Summit', where they cut the ribbon officially opening the 'Alcan' Highway.

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City of Dawson Creek, BC - MILE '0' The Alaska Highway