The Trans-Alaska Pipeline Authorization Act is a U.S. federal law that was signed by 
President Richard Nixon on Friday November 16, 1973. It authorized the building of 
an oil pipeline connecting the North Slope of Alaska to Port Valdez (see map) and specifically halted all legal challenges that had been filed primarily by environmental activists who were against construction of the pipeline. A federal right-of-way for the pipeline and transportation highway was granted on January 3, 1974 and the deal
was signed by the oil companies on January 23, allowing construction work to begin
on the 800 mile pipeline. The project was completed in 1977.