Northbound Glenn Highway reopened at Peters Creek after fog, slick conditions led to numerous collisions

The Glenn Highway reopened to one lane in both directions from Peters Creek to Eklutna just after noon Friday after icy roads led to numerous collisions that shut down northbound traffic for almost two hours.

The northbound lanes of the highway were closed just before 10:30 a.m. and one lane reopened around noon, police said. The southbound lanes of the highway were closed briefly before reopening to one lane, said Alaska Department of Transportation spokesman Justin Shelby.

About 17 vehicles were involved in collisions or went off the road on the northbound Glenn, according to Anchorage Police Department spokeswoman Sunny Guerin. The northbound closure left drivers without a detour; police had advised heading back to Anchorage.

The highway was slick and icy on Friday, which Shelby said is common this time of year as temperatures fluctuate. Dense fog also set in along the highway near Eklutna Friday, which added to the dangerous driving conditions, the National Weather Service said.

Police spokeswoman Cherie Zajdzinski said there were no major injuries, “just really slick roads.”

Department of Transportation crews went through the area with hot sand to melt ice from the roads and provide additional traction, Shelby said. Crews planned to continue working in the area this afternoon.

Numerous vehicles that had been involved in collisions were still being cleared from the area, he said.

It wasn’t immediately clear when the highway would be fully reopened.