George Parks Highway or Parks Highway, running S to central Alaska. Formerly known as Anchorage-Fairbanks Highway; renamed and designated Alaska Route 3 in 1975, 4 years after its completion. Originates at Glenn Highway (Route 1), 25 mi/40 km NE of Anchorage, in delta of Matanuska Valley, Alaska’s main agr. region. The paved highway 1st heads W to Wasilla and Houston, then gradually turns N. Beyond Willow, the highway follows the Susitna R., then it crosses the Chulitna R. by bridge. It passes through Denali State Park, affording views of Mt. McKinley (20,320 ft/6,193 m), highest point in N. Amer., and the Alaska Range. The Denali Highway. (Route 8), intersects it from E at Cantwell; then it passes the E end of Denali Natl. Park and Preserve. A restricted spur road goes W into the park to Wonder L. and Kantishna. The highway continues N, following in part the Nenana R., crossing the Tanana R. at village of Nenana. Turning to NE, it reaches Fairbanks, passing the Univ. of Alaska campus, ending at intersection of Alaska Highway, from SE, and Steese Highway, from N. The entire 358-mi/576-km length of the highway follows or closely parallels the Alaska RR.
