U.S.A. TO ALASKA

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 86, Issue 60, 12 March 1942, Page 3

U.S.A. TO ALASKA

HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION RECOMMENDATION APPROVED BY C ANADA. Ottawa, March 6. The Prime Minister of Canada has announced in the House of Commons that both Canada and the United States have accepted and approved the recommendation of the Permanent Joint Board on Defence for the construction of a highway across Canadian territory to Alaska. The road as approved will start at Fort St. John in Northern British Columbia and follow the general line of the airports which Canada has constructed at Fort Nelson, Watson Lake, and White Horse, thence via Boundary and Big Delta to Fairbanks. The highway will thus connect with the existing road systems of Canada and Alaska. The recommendation of the Defence Board, which has been endorsed by the respective Governments, is based on purely military considerations. The dimensions of the road, type of construction, and the route chosen have all been selected, the Prime Minister indicated, on this basis only. “The United States Government." the Prime Minister continued, “appreciating the burden of war expendi- ' lures already incurred by Canada since her entry into the war, and in particular on the construction of the air route to Alaska, has offered to undertake the building and warlime maintenance of the highway. At the I conclusion of the war that part of the highway which is in Canada will of course become in all respects an integral part of the Canadian highway system. This offer has been accepted, and its terms will be set forth in an exchange of notes which will be signed and made public in the near future. Canada will provide all I necessary facilities, including the I right of way for the road. Mean- | while American engineers who have I been selected to make the survey and io lay out a pioneer road have been authorised to commence work without further delay.” The House of Commons cheered the Prime Minister's announcement.