Glenn Highway reopened after 3-hour shutdown

UPDATE (3:25 p.m. Saturday) The Department of Transportation has reopened the Glenn Highway after a three-hour closure due to several vehicle accidents.

Original story:

WASILLA — The Alaska Department of Transportation issued a bulletin Saturday saying the southbound Glenn Highway had been closed at the South Birchwood exit due to multiple vehicle wrecks. The department said traffic is being routed around the highway via the South Birchwood exit and that the closure could last an hour or more.

In a separate advisory issued earlier in the morning, DOT said blowing snow, fog and icy roads were contributing to the difficult driving conditions in the area on Saturday.

Here's the complete advisory, which was sent out at just before noon on Saturday:

GLENN HIGHWAY: Advisory - December 12, 2015: Due to multiple vehicles in the ditch, and several crashes, the inbound Glenn Highway has been shut down at the S Birchwood exit. Traffic is being routed around the closure via the S Birchwood exit - vehicles are able to get back on the highway using the S Birchwood on-ramp. At least one car has landed on its side but we have no reports of any injuries at this time. The closure may last up to an hour or more. We will put out another notification once the highway has been reopened. Drive safely out there and buckle up!. Valid from 11:56AM, Dec 12 2015 until 3:56PM, Dec 12 2015.

This is a developing story; check back for updates.