ANCHORAGE, Alaska – In a dramatic incident early Sunday morning, the side fencing and roof of a pedestrian bridge collapsed due to strong winds, leading to the closure of one of Alaska's busiest highways, the Seward Highway, in both directions. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries from the debris that fell onto the highway, as confirmed by the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities.

Traffic was rerouted after a highway worker reported the incident around 2:30 a.m., and cleanup crews swiftly worked to clear the area using saws and front-end loaders, concluding their work by 6:30 a.m., according to department spokesperson Shannon McCarthy. The main structure of the bridge, which serves as a vital link between a neighborhood and an elementary school, remained intact, despite the damage to its fencing and roof.

McCarthy indicated that while it’s too early to ascertain the exact cause of the collapse, it’s likely that the winds, which peaked at 20 mph (32 kilometers per hour) at the time, played a significant role. The National Weather Service had forecast heavy rain, snow, and winds exceeding 60 mph (96 kilometers per hour) later in the day, raising concerns about further weather-related incidents.

This event serves as a reminder of the potential dangers posed by extreme weather conditions, highlighting the necessity for ongoing monitoring and maintenance of infrastructure in affected regions. For further details, read more from the Independent.