Part of pedestrian bridge collapses onto Seward Highway in South Anchorage

Part of a pedestrian bridge across the Seward Highway near South Anchorage’s Rabbit Creek Elementary School and DeArmoun Road collapsed onto the highway early Sunday, closing both lanes of the highway for a time.

The bridge’s frame and supports remained intact after roofing and fencing fell. It wasn’t immediately clear what caused the incident but the area was experiencing unusually high winds at the time.

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities said it happened around 2:30 a.m.

Crews from the department cleared the debris from the highway and it was reopened later Sunday morning, the department said.

Engineers from the department are planning to inspect the remaining superstructure of the bridge “as quickly as possible,” the department said on social media.

There were no apparent injuries. Alaska’s News Source reported Anchorage police said one vehicle came in contact with the debris but the impact was considered minor.

The transportation and police departments didn’t immediately respond to requests for more information Sunday morning.

High winds battered the Anchorage area overnight and early Sunday, with gusts of more than 90 mph recorded at higher elevations, and the city remained under a high wind warning through midday.

This is a development story. Check back for updates.