Gerstle River Bridge Notice of Availability for Acquisition
Project Name: Alaska Highway Gerstle River Bridge #520 Replacement
Project No.: NFHWY00653/0A22009

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) is in the preliminary engineering and environmental phase of a project to replace the Gerstle River Bridge (No. 0520) along the Alaska Highway at MP 1392.5. It is approximately 29 miles southeast from Delta Junction, Alaska and 78 miles northwest from the community of Tok, Alaska. Because the existing Gerstle River Bridge will be replaced with a new bridge, DOT&PF is making seven (7) spans of the existing bridge available for acquisition to a State, locality, or private entity. The existing bridge is historically significant and as such the recipient must agree to maintain the bridge and the features that give it historic significance. They will also have to assume all future legal and financial responsibility for the bridge.

Construction of the Gerstle River Bridge was completed in 1944 as part of an effort by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to construct a highway linking Alaska and the contiguous United States to support communications and community development in Interior Alaska both during and after World War (WW)II. The bridge remains in its original location and retains most of the original design features that convey its historic appearance and function. Most of the bridge’s original materials remain intact or have been replaced in-kind. The Gerstle River Bridge is eligible for listing on the NRHP under Criterion A at the local, state, and national levels for its association with the Alaska Highway, and Criterion C at the state level as representative of the steel Warren through truss bridge type.

Funds may potentially be available to recipients to help defray costs of bridge removal and transportation. Recipients are responsible for removal of the bridge, transport of the bridge, and installation and maintenance of the bridge in its new location. Note that the bridge has lead paint, and responsibility for the lead paint mitigation will be assumed by the recipient. Additionally, due to its age and condition, DOT&PF believes this bridge would only be appropriate for re-use for non-vehicular traffic on non-public roads.

DOT&PF is now accepting proposals for the relocation and reuse of the bridge until March 6, 2026. Information about the bridge is available from, and questions may be sent to Jennifer Wright, P.E. DOT&PF Project Manager by email at jennifer.wright@alaska.gov or by phone at (907) 371-8949. Preservation covenants may accompany the bridge.

The environmental review, consultation, and other actions required by applicable Federal environmental laws for this project are being, or have been, carried out by DOT&PF pursuant to 23 U.S.C. 327 and a Memorandum of Understanding dated April 13, 2023, and executed by FHWA and DOT&PF.

It is the policy of the Alaska DOT&PF that no one shall be subject to discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability, regardless of the funding source, including Federal Transit Administration, Federal Aviation Administration, Federal Highway Administration, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, and State of Alaska funds. To communicate by text telephone, dial TTY 711 or 1-800-770-8973. Full Title VI Nondiscrimination Policy: dot.alaska.gov/tvi_statement.shtml