The roundabout marks the start of the famous Alaska-Canada Highway, also known as the Alcan Highway or simply the Alaska Highway. The highway was built during the Second World War and was considered the largest and most difficult construction project since the Panama Canal. A small monument with a plaque marks the beginning of the 2,250-kilometre (1,400-mi) highway through Canada to Alaska. Another signpost in Fairbanks, Alaska, marks the end of the historic route.