New tour/travel routes coming?

[Yukon]

We seem to be going through a spell of optimism and forward thinking in the tourism/transport sector, judging by some current happenings:

- a new road joining Chena Hot Springs and Circle Hot Springs is being studied, to turn the current pair of roads into a circle tour from Fairbanks;

- most reports say that the road from Juneau to Skagway is getting closer to being approved - http://juneauaccess.alaska.gov/ , though http://www.juneauroad.com/ and others disagree;

- a second entrance to Denali Park is being studied again (rail or road) to alleviate the awful congestion visitors experience at the park gates now;

- steam rail service to Carcross has been announced for 2006 (probably with bus one way to/from Skagway) - http://explorenorth.com/library/rails/wpyr-carcross-news-0105.html

- on the tourism-negative side, for RVers, a new gas pipeline following the Alaska Highway will cause a lot of traffic congestion for the 2 years of its construction (but will create thousands of jobs).

 

: )

 

Murray

[Coral]

Looks like some great news!

 

I really hope the Skagway/Juneau road is approved. Juneau really needs that.

[Yukon]

It seems there have been other beneficiaries - the road into McCarthy and Kennicott has been substantially upgraded, enough that Enterprise and Budget car rentals now allow their vehicle to be taken on it. If you can ever work it in for 2 or 3 days, this is one of Alaska's real undiscovered gems! http://www.explorenorth.com/articles/042498.html

 

Murray

[Budget Queen]

It seems there have been other beneficiaries - the road into McCarthy and Kennicott has been substantially upgraded, enough that Enterprise and Budget car rentals now allow their vehicle to be taken on it. If you can ever work it in for 2 or 3 days, this is one of Alaska's real undiscovered gems! http://www.explorenorth.com/articles/042498.html

 

Murray

 

 

GREAT news- I have flown into Kennicott and certainly a great undeveloped area. I'll add it into my "schedule" the next trip. I'll be keeping an eye on the Denali Highway too, just never in good shape when I have driven it. :(