Today in 1977, construction of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System was completed. It was built as a result of the 1973 oil crisis, and remains one of the largest pipeline systems in the world. It runs 800 miles from Prudhoe Bay to Valdez, Alaska. According to laws put into place at the time of construction, the pipeline is to be immediately shut down and taken apart upon completion of the oil extraction. There are currently no estimates as to when that may happen.

 

Image Credit: Wikipedia