E. L. Patton Yukon River Bridge, Road bridge in Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area, United States.
The E. L. Patton Yukon River Bridge is a road bridge crossing the Yukon River in Alaska, spanning approximately 2,300 feet along the Dalton Highway. The structure features steel girders supporting a timber-surfaced roadway, with space allocated beneath for the Alaska Pipeline to pass through.
Construction of this bridge began in 1974 and was delayed by setbacks with foundation work before opening to traffic in 1975. The project was tied to the development of oil resources in northern Alaska and the expansion of infrastructure along the Dalton Highway.
The bridge serves as a critical connection point for local communities, supporting transportation needs and resource movement throughout northern Alaska's remote regions.
This bridge is part of the Dalton Highway serving traffic traveling to northern Alaska. Because of its remote location, visitors should be prepared for harsh conditions and carry adequate fuel and supplies.
It is the only bridge crossing the Yukon River in all of Alaska and was designed to carry both vehicles and an oil pipeline simultaneously. This dual function made it a notable engineering achievement when it was built.
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