The Federal Highway Administration has allocated $108.7 million to replace the Johnson River and Gerstle River bridges along the Alaska Highway in the Southeast Fairbanks Census Area. The project will be implemented by the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities.
The project involves the full replacement of two aging bridges that serve as critical links along the Alaska Highway, a primary overland route connecting Alaska to Canada. Both structures have exceeded their original design life and currently face load restrictions.
The funding is provided through FHWA’s Bridge Investment Program, which supports large-scale bridge replacement and rehabilitation projects nationwide. The investment represents a federal funding allocation aimed at improving transportation reliability and infrastructure resilience.
Work on the Johnson River Bridge is expected to begin in 2027, followed by construction of the Gerstle River Bridge in 2029. The replacements will eliminate load restrictions, improve freight movement, and reduce the risk of extended detours along the corridor. The project will support supply chains, emergency response access, and regional connectivity for communities across interior Alaska.