Dalton Highway and Trans Alaskan Pipeline
Road surface: gravel;
length: 414 miles/666.3 km;
The road begins on the Elliott Highway, 73 miles/118 km from Fairbanks and leads to Deadhorse, a few miles from Prudhoe Bay (the largest oilfield in North-Amercia) and the Arctic Ocean.
The road was built as a haul road during constructions of the Trans Alaskan Pipeline. Road constructions began on April 29th, 1974 and were finished 5 months later. The road is 29 feet/9 m wide with 3 to 6 feet/1 to 2 m of gravel surfacing. Some sections of road are underlain with plastic foam insulation to prevent thawing of the permafrost.
The pipeline is 800-mile/1,287 km long and runs from Prudhoe Bay to the warm-water port of Valdez. Construction took place between 1974 and 1977. The pipeline has a diameter of 48 inch and slightly more than half of the 800 mile/1,287 km is above ground. There are 10 operating pump stations with the control center in Valdez. Design, construc tion and operation of the pipeline are managed by Alyeska Pipeline Service Company, a consortium of 7 oil companies (BP, Arco, Exxon, Mobil, Amerada Hee, Phillips und Unocal).
Services along the Dalton Highway are limited. You must shop for groceries before departing Fairbanks. Gas, diesel fuel and tire repair, restaurant, motel, telephone an emergency communication are available at milepost 56 and milepost 175. Road conditions vary depending on weather, maintenance and time of year, but in general this road has a reputation of being rough. You have to watch for ruts, rocks, dust and trucks. Calcium choloride is used on the road to control dust. It is corrosive to vehicles and slippery when wet. There are several steep grades (10 to 12 %).
Dalton Highway is unique in its scenic beauty.