Between Alaska and Russia lies the Bering Strait — 82 km of water. On a clear day, you can see across. The Diomede Islands sit in the middle, one American, one Russian, 3.8 km apart.
People have dreamed of bridging or tunneling this gap for over a century.
It has never happened. It probably never will.
But let's dream anyway.
The History:
1890s: First proposals for a Bering Strait crossing 1905: Tsar Nicholas II allegedly approved a railway project (then came the revolution) 1960s-70s: Various proposals during detente periods 2000s: Renewed interest (Russia-US-Canada rail link proposals) 2011: Russia announced plans (nothing happened) 2020s: Proposals continue, reality doesn't
The Engineering:
A Bering Strait crossing would be:
Option A: Bridge
- ~82 km span with island stops
- Extreme weather (ice, wind, waves)
- Would be longest bridge in the world by far
- Estimated cost: $100+ billion (lowball)
Option B: Tunnel
- Under the seabed
- Less weather exposure, more geological challenge
- Would be longest tunnel in the world by far
- Estimated cost: Also enormous
Either option would then require:
- Hundreds of km of rail/road on the Alaska side (through wilderness)
- Hundreds of km on the Russian side (through even more wilderness)
- Total project easily $200-300+ billion
The Geopolitics:
Even if the engineering were feasible:
Russia: Currently invading Ukraine, heavily sanctioned, relations with the West at post-Cold War low
United States: Not building joint infrastructure projects with Russia anytime soon
China: Interested (as part of Belt and Road expansion), but US would oppose Chinese involvement in Alaska infrastructure
The geopolitical window for a Bering Strait crossing was maybe open in 2007. It's sealed shut now.
The Yukonification Angle:
If Alaska becomes Canadian:
- Still not building infrastructure with Russia
- But: different geopolitical posture than US
- Canada has Arctic interests that might (someday) align with Bering cooperation
- Indigenous connections across the strait predate national borders
Not happening soon. Maybe not ever. But a Canadian Alaska changes the political calculus.
What Actually Might Happen:
Instead of megaprojects, consider:
- Enhanced Arctic shipping — As ice recedes, shipping through Bering increases
- Indigenous cross-strait connections — Family and cultural ties deserve support
- Scientific cooperation — Climate research, wildlife tracking
- Search and rescue coordination — The strait is dangerous; cooperation saves lives
These are achievable. The bridge is not.
Discussion Questions:
- Is a Bering Strait crossing worth pursuing, or a distraction from realistic goals?
- How should Indigenous connections across the strait be supported?
- What does increased Arctic shipping mean for the region?
- If geopolitics changed dramatically, would a crossing benefit or harm the North?
- Should we stop talking about the bridge and focus on what's achievable?