ALASKA TRENDS.

The Trans Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS) is an Alaska icon. In many ways, building TAPS built Alaska's economy, and the oil that's traveled its length has provided funds for communities and individuals across the state for more than forty years. While every Alaskan knows at least a little something about TAPS, there's a lot to know, so we've compiled some information here about the pipeline and the stories it has inspired.

TAPS FAST FACTS

Crosses 3 mountain ranges extends more than 800 miles

AIR TEMPERATURE RANGE

-80[degrees]F to 95[degrees]F

PIPE DIAMETER

48 inches

MAXIMUM GRADE

145% or 55[degrees]

NUMBER OF VALVES

178

HIGHEST ELEVATION

4,739 feet

RIVER AND STREAM CROSSINGS

500 + 34 major

42 gallons per barrel

TAPS & POP CULTURE

PIPE DREAMS

Movie and song by Gladys Knight. This is the first film that uses the construction of TAPS as an essential part of its action. [1976)

ON DEADLY GROUND

Featuring Steven Seagal and filmed on location in Valdez, this movie made Siskel and Ebert's list of the ten worst movies of the year. (1994)

THE SIMPSONS MOVIE

In this film, the Simpson family is treated with a $1,000 check upon entering Alaska and is told it's a payoff from oil companies. [2007)

30 DAYS OF NIGHT

This vampire film features characters that are pipeline workers. [2007)

"The pipeline is also a central figure in many, many badly reviewed novels."

~ Alyeska Pipeline Service Company

HAUL ROAD

The 358-mile Dalton Highway...