Construction Trans-Alaska Pipeline System

the pipeline on slider supports crosses denali fault.

although legal right-of-way cleared january 1974, cold weather, need hire workers, , construction of dalton highway meant work on pipeline did not begin until march. between 1974 , july 28, 1977, when first barrel of oil reached valdez, tens of thousands of people worked on pipeline. thousands of workers came alaska, attracted prospect of high-paying jobs @ time when of rest of united states undergoing recession.

construction workers endured long hours, cold temperatures, , brutal conditions. difficult terrain, particularly in atigun pass, keystone canyon, , near sagavanirktok river forced workers come solutions unforeseen problems. faulty welds , accusations of poor quality control caused congressional investigation revealed little. more $8 billion spent build 800 miles (1,300 km) of pipeline, valdez marine terminal, , 12 pump stations. construction effort had human toll. thirty-two alyeska , contract employees died causes directly related construction. figure not include common carrier casualties.