Alaska Offers Free Historic Bridge for Relocation

State seeks group to take and preserve 1940s Gerstle River Bridge along Alaska Highway

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities is offering to give away seven spans of the historic Gerstle River Bridge near Delta Junction, built in 1944 to connect Alaska to the Lower 48 during World War II. The state is seeking a group to relocate and preserve the steel-truss bridge, which will be removed by 2031 when a new bridge is constructed.

Why it matters

The Gerstle River Bridge is one of the few remaining bridges from the construction of the Alaska Highway during WWII, built by Black construction regiments under difficult conditions. Preserving this historic structure would help commemorate the contributions of these soldiers and the engineering feat of the Alaska Highway.

The details

The state is requiring any group that takes the bridge to use it for public access, not private use, and to be responsible for its maintenance and safety. While the bridge cannot accommodate vehicle traffic, it could potentially be repurposed as a pedestrian or bicycle crossing. The new Gerstle River Bridge is being designed to handle heavier loads from the nearby Manh Choh mine ore trucks.

  • The state issued a public notice about the bridge giveaway on February 10, 2026.
  • Interested parties have until March 6, 2026 to contact the transportation department.
  • The existing Gerstle River Bridge will be removed by 2031 when the new bridge is completed.

The players

Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities

The state agency responsible for transportation infrastructure in Alaska, including the Gerstle River Bridge.

Angelica Stabs

A spokesperson for the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities.

Rep. Rebecca Schwanke

The Alaska state representative for the district that includes the Gerstle River Bridge.

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What they’re saying

“We are offering seven spans of the existing bridge to any state, local or private group that wants to relocate and preserve it. You know, it is a historic bridge. It was built in 1944, and so it's just a way of preserving the history the best that we can.”

— Angelica Stabs, Spokesperson, Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (alaskabeacon.com)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, Grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

The state will evaluate proposals from interested groups and select a recipient to take ownership of the Gerstle River Bridge spans by the March 6 deadline.

The takeaway

This bridge giveaway represents an opportunity to preserve an important piece of Alaska's transportation history and honor the contributions of the Black construction regiments who built the Alaska Highway during World War II. The right group could potentially repurpose the historic structure for public use.