The “sorry state” of the north Alaska Highway might change soon, if U.S. funding comes through.

The Alaska government has again applied to a $1.5-billion infrastructure fund, Highways and Public Works Minister Nils Clarke told MLAs last week.

The RAISE or “Rebuilding American Infrastructure and Sustainability Equity” program provides discretionary grants.

Yukon government officials worked with U.S. and Alaskan counterparts on the application, he said, with letters of support provided from Yukon MP Brendan Hanley and federal Transport Minister Pablo Rodriguez.

Last year’s application to the RAISE fund, for US $25 million, was not successful, and lessons were learned, Clarke said. (An application to a different fund for US$31.25 million was also unsuccessful.)

Kluane MLA Wade Istchenko of the Yukon Party wanted to know what changes were made to this year’s application that might better guarantee success, given “the sorry state of one of Yukon’s major highways.”

Clarke said the Alaskans provided more guidance, and an independent review of the latest submission found that “it was a strong application that was clearly written by a transportation expert.”

In 2023-24, the Yukon government spent $3.4 million on capital improvements, in addition to regular operations and maintenance costs.

“Thanks, and kudos to the hard-working staff and Highways and Public Works,” said Clarke.

Work included rehabilitating 45 kilometres of BST, 27 kilometres of gravel road, and completing more than seven kilometres of gravel patching.

Shakwak funds in the past helped improve the Haines Road as well as the Alaska Highway from Haines Junction to Beaver Creek.

The U.S. government takes a keen interest as these roads are an essential land link between mainland Alaska and the panhandle and Lower 48, via the ferry in Haines.

The U.S. provided regular funding toward maintenance and reconstruction until 2015.