Patrick Gilchrist

At a Wednesday meeting, the Fairbanks Area Surface Transportation Planning policy board voted to table indefinitely an updated operating agreement with the Alaska Department of Transportation.

The Yukon Quest Alaska starts Saturday in Fairbanks with three sled-dog races – the 80-mile Fun Run, the 200-mile middle-distance event and the big 550-mile course to Tok. Race officials held a “Meet the Mushers” get-together Thursday night, and each racer’s name was drawn to determine the starting order for their event.

The trail would run through the Tanana Valley State Forest, if constructed. Alaska Trails says it would cost $2.6 million.