The Interstate Highways in Alaska are all owned and maintained by the US state of Alaska.[2] The Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF) is responsible for the maintenance and operations of the Interstate Highways. The Interstate Highway System in Alaska comprises four highways that cover 1,082.22 miles (1,741.66 km). The longest of these is Interstate A-1 (A-1), at 408.23 miles (656.98 km) long, while the shortest route is A-3, at 148.12 miles (238.38 km) long. All Interstates in Alaska are unsigned[3] [failed verification] and are not generally referred to by their highway numbers.
| Dwight D. Eisenhower National System of Interstate and Defense Highways | |
|---|---|
    Shields for Interstates in Alaska | |
 Interstates of Alaska highlighted in red | |
| System information | |
| Length | 1,082.22 mi[1] (1,741.66 km) |
| Formed | 1976 |
| Highway names | |
| Interstates | Interstate A-n (A-n) (unsigned) |
| State | Alaska Route n (AK-n) |
| System links | |
Interstates in Alaska follow the numbering system Interstate A-n, where n represents the number of the Interstate. This follows the similar numbering systems for Hawaii and Puerto Rico.[1] The Interstate Highway System was expanded to Alaska in 1976, by the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1976, which defined the system for Interstates in Alaska and Puerto Rico under .[4]
Most of the lengths of the Interstates in Alaska are not constructed to Interstate Highway standards but are small, rural, two-lane undivided highways. Title 23 provides that "Highways on the Interstate System in Alaska and Puerto Rico shall be designed in accordance with such geometric and construction standards as are adequate for current and probable future traffic demands and the needs of the locality of the highway."[4] Some portions of these highways are built to Interstate standards, though. The Seward Highway, part of A-3, is built to freeway standards in Anchorage.[5] The Glenn Highway, which is part of A-1, is built to freeway standards from Anchorage to Wasilla.[6] A very small portion of the George Parks Highway, A-4, is constructed to freeway standards in Wasilla.[7] In and around Fairbanks, the Richardson Highway, part of A-2, is constructed to freeway standards.[8] In addition to these highways, the Johansen Expressway, in Fairbanks, and the Minnesota Drive Expressway, in Anchorage, are constructed to expressway standards.
Routes
edit| Number | Length (mi)[1] | Length (km) | Southern or western terminus | Northern or eastern terminus | Formed | Removed | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 A-1
|
408.23[6] | 656.98 | Anchorage | Canadian border in Alcan Border | 1976 | current | Glenn Highway, Richardson Highway, Tok Cut-Off, Alaska Highway[9][10][11][12] | |
 A-2
|
202.18[8] | 325.38 | Tok | Fairbanks | 1976 | current | Alaska Highway, Richardson Highway[10][11][12] | |
 A-3
|
148.12[5] | 238.38 | Soldotna | Anchorage | 1976 | current | Seward Highway, Sterling Highway[9][11][12] | |
 A-4
|
323.69[7] | 520.93 | Gateway, near Palmer | Fairbanks | 1976 | current | Parks Highway[9][10][11][12] | |
Gallery
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The Glenn Highway, eastbound near Glennallen, is part of A-1. -
An interchange between the Richardson Highway, part of A-2, and Badger Road in Fairbanks -
The Sterling Highway, westbound near Homer, is part of A-3. -
The George Parks Highway, which comprises the entirety of A-4
See also
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References
edit- ^ a b c Starks, Edward (January 27, 2022). "Table 1: Main Routes of the Dwight D. Eisenhower National System of Interstate and Defense Highways". FHWA Route Log and Finder List. Federal Highway Administration. Retrieved January 24, 2023.
- ^ Staff. "Interstate Frequently Asked Questions". Federal Highway Administration. Retrieved May 31, 2012.
- ^ Weingroff, Richard F. (April 7, 2011). "Interstates in Hawaii: Are We Crazy???". Ask the Rambler. Federal Highway Administration. Retrieved March 15, 2011.
- ^ a b United States Congress. "Title 23, Chapter 1, Section §103". U.S. Government Printing Office. Retrieved May 31, 2012.
- ^ a b "Overview Map of Interstate A-3" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved May 31, 2012.
- ^ a b "Overview Map of Interstate A-1" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved May 31, 2012.
- ^ a b "Overview Map of Interstate A-4" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved May 31, 2012.
- ^ a b "Overview Map of Interstate A-2" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved May 31, 2012.
- ^ a b c Witt, Jennifer W. (2010). Annual Traffic Volume Report (PDF) (Report) (2008-2009-2010 ed.). Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 30, 2014. Retrieved March 15, 2012.
- ^ a b c Birkholz, Ethan (2010). Annual Traffic Volume Report (PDF) (Report) (2008-2009-2010 ed.). Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 17, 2014. Retrieved May 31, 2012.
- ^ a b c d Federal Highway Administration. "Dwight D. Eisenhower Interstate Routes Statewide" (PDF). U.S. Department of Transportation. Retrieved May 31, 2012.
- ^ a b c d Federal Highway Administration. "Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities Routes by Description: CDS Route Numbers as of 28 October 2008" (PDF). U.S. Department of Transportation. Retrieved May 31, 2012.
External links
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- Photos of Alaska Interstate Highway ends
- Alaska Interstates at AARoads' Interstate Guide