Update - 9:00 p.m.:

From Anchorage Police:

"Due to the significant damage to the bridge, the inbound lanes of the Glenn Highway will remain closed indefinitely.The closure could possibly last 3-5 days as DOT crews work to repair the bridge.

For the Thursday morning commute into Anchorage, traffic will be diverted off of the Glenn Highway at the North Eagle River exit. Drivers will follow detour signs through downtown Eagle River and back onto the Glenn Highway from Hiland Road.

If you are planning on traveling in the area during this time, including students heading to school via bus or other means, please plan accordingly and drive safely.

APD will be deploying extra officers in the area to help monitor the situation and control traffic so everyone gets to their destinations safely."

Update - 7:00 p.m.:

The AK Dept of Transportation posted this on its Facebook page: " DOT&PF bridge inspectors and engineers have determined that the northern bridge span is significantly damaged. We now expect a longer closure of this section of highway. We will post more information tonight."

AK D.O.T spokesperson Shannon McCarthy, in an email Wednesday evening, wrote "we are now looking at an extended closure. Bridge crew and bridge engineers have indicated the northernmost span is badly damaged."

State officials did not give an estimate for when the south-bound lanes would re-open.

KTUU.com and Channel 2 news will continue to update this story.

Update - 3 p.m.:

The Anchorage Police Department has redirected area traffic routes, following an 18-wheeler overpass collision Wednesday afternoon.

While inbound Glenn Highway is still closed at South Eagle River, local police now instructs motorists to use North or South Birchwood exits and Hiland Exit to avoid the crash scene.

Previously, APD was directing inbound traffic to use the North Eagle River exit. They no longer want motorists to use this specific exit.

Original Story - 1:35 p.m.:

An 18-wheeler crash was reported inbound on the Glenn Highway, Wednesday afternoon.

The Anchorage Police Department first sent out a community alert at approximately 1:15 p.m.

According to APD, the 18-wheeler collided with the South Eagle River overpass. Consequently, inbound traffic was shut down at South Eagle River.

Motorists traveling into Anchorage are instructed by police to avoid the crash area.

"You [inbound traffic] need to exit the Glenn using the North Eagle River exit," reads the APD community alert. "Then get back on the Glenn via the Hiland Exit."

Local police say the Department of Transportation arrived on scene around 2 p.m., in order to assess the situation and inspect the overpass for damage.

APD Spokesperson Renee Oistad adds that police can confirm that no injuries were reported and the 18-wheeler is upright.

"The 18-wheeler’s load was too tall," she told KTUU. "So it hit the overpass, as the driver was attempting to drive under it."