Glenn Highway reopened after closure due to multi-vehicle accidents

CHUGIAK, Alaska (KTUU) - The Glenn Highway was closed for over an hour Friday morning north of Eagle River after multiple cars and trucks slid off the roadway due to icy conditions.

Anchorage Police Department spokesperson Sunny Guerin confirmed that both southbound lanes of the Glenn Highway had reopened shortly after 12 p.m., and one lane had reopened headed northbound. The initial closure came around 10:30 a.m. Guerin said that approximately 17 vehicles were involved in crashes in the northbound lanes.

Anchorage police said the highway was shut down in both directions from Peters Creek to Eklutna due to “hazardous road conditions” and advised drivers to turn around and head back to Anchorage since there are no alternate routes. The municipality’s Rave alert system initially reported that only northbound lanes were closed.

Anchorage police spokesperson Cherie Zajdzinski said several multi-vehicle accidents were the cause of the closure. Photos from motorists showed multiple cars and trucks in the ditch.

Zajdzinski said no major injuries were reported but said road conditions were “incredibly hazardous.”

Chugiak Volunteer Fire Department Chief John Della Croce said that northbound lanes were initially closed at 9:25 a.m., and southbound lanes were closed at 10:47 a.m. The southbound lanes were then reopened at 11:48 a.m. Della Croce estimated that nearly 30 vehicles were involved in crashes.

“A total of 9 drivers or passengers requested evaluation,” Della Croce wrote in an email. “5 Adult patients were treated and transported with minor injuries. 3 adult and 1 pediatric patients were treated on scene and did not require medical transport. One CVFRD Firefighter was treated and transported as a result of injury sustained on scene.”

This story has been updated with additional information.

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