Glenn Highway southbound lanes closed indefinitely

WASILLA — Valley residents making their daily trip into Anchorage Thursday morning may need to factor more time into their commute.

The southbound lanes of the Glenn Highway will be closed indefinitely, according to a broadcast alert issued by the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities late Wednesday night. Earlier in the day, an 18-wheeler carrying an oversized load hit the overpass at the South Eagle River exit. Department of transportation and public facilities officials report significant damage to the overpass at the exit.

“After inspection DOT&PF determined that the span was not stable and needed immediate repair,” according to an update on the department’s Facebook page Wednesday night.

According to the latest report, the closure could last as many as five days. There is now an alternate route for those traveling to Anchorage.

“For the Thursday morning commute into Anchorage, traffic will be diverted off of the Glenn Highway at the North Eagle River exit. Drivers will follow detour signs through downtown Eagle River and back onto the Glenn Highway from Hiland Road,” according to the alert.

This is a developing story. See frontiersman.com for more.

Contact the Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman at news@frontiersman.com.