Fencing, roof of Anchorage pedestrian bridge fall in strong wind, closing highway

The side railings and roof of a pedestrian bridge that fell in high winds closed the highway south of Anchorage, Alaska, early Sunday

ANKERAGE, Alaska — The side railings and roof of a pedestrian bridge fell early Sunday in high winds, closing the highway south of Anchorage in both directions until debris could be cleared.

No one was injured when the structure fell on the Seward Highway on the south side of Alaska’s largest city, according to the Alaska Department of Transportation. & Public facilities.

A highway worker reported the debris around 2:30 am. Traffic was rerouted and crews with saws and front loaders cleared it by 6:30 a.m., department spokesperson Shannon McCarthy said by email.

“While it is too early to determine the cause, it is likely that wind played a significant role,” McCarthy said.

The main structure of the walking path on the four-lane road, a driveway and an outside road remained intact. The bridge connects a neighborhood with a primary school.

The wind reached a speed of 20 mph (32 kilometers per hour) at the time. Heavy rain, snow and winds up to 60 miles per hour were forecast later Sunday, the National Weather Service said.