A Guide to the Alaska Highway

November 9, 2012

    In partnership with the Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 254, the Yukon government today officially dedicated the Yukon portion of the Alaska Highway to all past, present and future war veterans.

    “The efforts made by the many men and women who have safeguarded the freedom, security and prosperity of all Canadians are being honoured with the dedication of this 900 kilometre section of the Alaska Highway,” Premier Darrell Pasloski said. “We must never forget that our freedom and safety have been purchased through the sacrifice of others.”

    The official dedication will be represented by signs along the Yukon portion of the highway. These signs will be installed when the ground thaws in the spring. The highway will keep its existing official name – the Alaska Highway.

    “The Yukon government, in partnership with the Legion wants to ensure that we all continue to remember the sacrifice and dedication of war veterans and honour them for their service,” Highways and Public Works Minister Wade Istchenko said. “By dedicating this portion of the Alaska Highway we are creating a legacy in remembrance of the sacrifices and heroism of the soldiers and veterans who serve their country.”

    “We are pleased and humbled by the dedication of the Alaska Highway to Canadian Veterans,” Whitehorse Legion Branch No. 254 past president and coordinator of Remembrance activities Red Grossinger said. “The dedication will act as an ongoing reminder of what our local veterans have sacrificed for us as both Yukoners and Canadians.”

    The Alaska Highway is Yukon’s largest and busiest arterial highway. It connects the State of Alaska with the rest of the continent and remains rich in Canadian and American history. The Yukon portion of the highway stretches between Watson Lake and Beaver Creek.

Above: Yukon Legislative Assembly Speaker David Laxton, Legion Branch No. 254 President Darcy Grossinger, Highways and Public Works Minister Wade Istchenko, Whitehorse Legion Branch No. 254 past president Red Grossinger, Premier Darrell Pasloski and Commissioner Doug Phillips (L to R) with one of the new signs