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List of Interstate Highways in Alaska facts for kids

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Interstate 1 markerInterstate 2 markerInterstate 3 markerInterstate 4 marker
Shields for Interstates in Alaska
Quick facts for kids
System information
Formed: 1976
Length: 1,082.22 mi (1,741.66 km)
Highway names
Interstates: Interstate A-n (A-n) (unsigned)
System links
Alaska Routes

The Interstate Highways in Alaska are all owned and maintained by the US state of Alaska. 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 and are not generally referred to by their highway numbers.

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. 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 23 U.S.C. § 103(c)(1)(B)(ii).

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." 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. The Glenn Highway, which is part of A-1, is built to freeway standards from Anchorage to Wasilla. A very small portion of the George Parks Highway, A-4, is constructed to freeway standards in Wasilla. In and around Fairbanks, the Richardson Highway, part of A-2, is constructed to freeway standards. In addition to these highways, the Johansen Expressway, in Fairbanks, and the Minnesota Drive Expressway, in Anchorage, are constructed to expressway standards.

Routes

Number Length (mi) Length (km) Southern or western terminus Northern or eastern terminus Formed Removed Notes
A‑1 408.23 656.98 Anchorage Canadian border in Alcan Border 1976 current Glenn Highway, Richardson Highway, Tok Cut-Off, Alaska Highway
A‑2 202.18 325.38 Tok Fairbanks 1976 current Alaska Highway, Richardson Highway
A‑3 148.12 238.38 Soldotna Anchorage 1976 current Seward Highway, Sterling Highway
A‑4 323.69 520.93 Gateway, near Palmer Fairbanks 1976 current Parks Highway

Gallery

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Anexo:Carreteras interestatales de Alaska para niños

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List of Interstate Highways in Alaska Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.