Claus-M Naske

Historian Claus Naske traces the history of the Alaska Road Commission (ARC), which outlines how transportation infrastructure was developed in Alaska, pre-statehood. He includes descriptions of existing conditions, challenges of funding and support for the group initially under the Department of War, led by army officers. He compares this with how transportation was developed for the contiguous states, and how the small group of dedicated individuals developed methods and techniques that were adapted to Alaska's huge size and lack of other infrastructure. An excellent document for anyone wanting to understand how and why the routes were selected, and progressively upgraded from literally marked routes across unaltered terrain to winter trails, wagon roads and eventually (in some cases) paved highways. He also covers development of airfields and the impact on aviation on the state's transportation network, ARC's roll in communications and the start of the Alaska Ferry System.… (mais)