Alaska is set to replace the Black Veterans Memorial Bridge over the Gerstle River, a vital but aging link on the Alaska Highway. While a new, modern bridge is necessary for safety, the state has launched a unique preservation initiative to honor the segregated Black regiments who built the original route during World War II.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The Preservation Strategy
The state is attempting to balance the high costs of infrastructure with the “irreplaceable” nature of this monument:
- The “Memorial Spans”: Alaska plans to leave the two end trestles of the 1,885-foot bridge standing. These will serve as a permanent tribute, visible from the new parallel structure.
- A Call for “Bridge Adopters”: In an unusual move, the state is offering the remaining seven spans for free. Any organization—public or private—that can relocate and maintain them for historical or public use has until March 6, 2026, to submit a proposal.
- The Friction Point: While the spans are being saved, local historians are pushing for more than just a “view.” There is an ongoing effort to secure a dedicated pullout and interpretive signs so travelers can actually stop and learn about the bridge’s history rather than just passing it at 65 mph.
Historical Context: The “Road to Civil Rights”
- Hostile Environments: Temperatures dropped to $-70^\circ\text{F}$ during the winter construction phase.
- Systemic Inequality: These soldiers were often denied heavy machinery, tasked with the most grueling physical labor, and forced into segregated camps.
- A Catalyst for Change: Their incredible speed and efficiency in completing the 1,500-mile highway in just eight months was a primary argument used to justify the integration of the U.S. Armed Forces in 1948.
Project Timeline
- Proposal Deadline for Spans: March 6, 2026
- New Bridge Completion: Expected by 2031
