Alaska to replace Black Veterans Memorial Bridge, saving part as tribute to Alaska Highway builders

A historic bridge in Alaska named for segregated Black soldiers who battled extreme weather and terrain to help build the first road link between Alaska and Canada needs to replaced. But the state will keep part of the original Black Veterans Memorial Bridge to honor the soldiers credited with bringing changes to the Army's discrimination policies. The bridge is located near the end point of the Alaska Highway south of Fairbanks. Japanese attacks on Alaska and Hawaii, including the invasion of two Alaska islands, prompted urgency for the road. The soldiers completed the 1,500 gravel road then named the Alcan Highway in eight months in 1942.