PALMER A portion of the Glenn Highway near Sutton has been partially closed due to erosion caused by the Matanuska River, which undermined the roadway surface on Saturday, necessitating emergency repairs.

The incident, located at Mile 63, has prompted concerns as the Matanuska River, swollen from recent warm weather snowmelt, continues to threaten the highway. Crews worked overnight on Saturday to stabilize the eroding road section at Mile 63.4 north of Sutton, as reported by the state transportation department. Flaggers are allowing single-lane traffic through as of Sunday, with plans underway for temporary measures including road widening and a new traffic pattern.

According to updates from the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, erosion accelerated significantly on Saturday, raising fears of the river undermining the pavement. Efforts on Sunday involved trucking in material to rebuild the embankment and reinforce the shoulder, beginning from the north end of the affected Glenn Highway section and progressing southward.

Local residents had previously noted rapid changes along the riverbank, with the Matanuska claiming approximately 40 feet of land in just one month, prompting concerns about the state's response time to protect the Glenn Highway before emergency repairs became necessary.

Earlier assurances from state transportation officials that the highway faced no immediate threat were countered by the accelerated erosion. Emergency repairs were initially slated for a different section near Mile 76, with the damaged area at Mile 63 scheduled for conventional repair in the coming weeks