Copper River and Northwestern Railway

Copper River and Northwestern Railway is a historic railway line connecting the port of Cordova to the Kennecott mines across roughly 196 miles through rivers, canyons, glaciers and mountains in south-central Alaska. The route crossed one of the state's most challenging terrain and required significant engineering to complete.

Construction of the railway took place between 1908 and 1911 as a project by Kennecott Corporation to transport copper ore from mountain mines to the port. The rail line played a vital role in developing the region's mining industry during the early 20th century.

Locals watching the railway's construction gave it the nickname 'Can't Run and Never Will' because of the severe weather and difficult landscape that seemed impossible to overcome. This name shows how people in the region viewed the ambitious project at the time.

The historic railway corridor now forms the McCarthy Road, an unpaved route providing vehicle access between the towns of Chitina and McCarthy in Alaska. Visitors should be prepared for rough conditions and plan accordingly when traveling this remote road.

The Million Dollar Bridge spanning the Copper River was repaired in the 2000s despite having no road access, as restoration proved more cost-effective than demolition. This unusual decision reflects how important the structure was to preserving the historical route.

Location: Copper River Census Area

Location: Chugach Census Area

Inception: 1907

GPS coordinates: 61.29280,-144.71300

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:53