SEATTLE -- A collision damaged a sign over the collector-distributor lanes from southbound Interstate 5 to eastbound Interstate 90, causing authorities to stop traffic on the key stretch of freeway in downtown Seattle Sunday.

The 2:35 p.m. collision severely damaged a sign bridge that spans four freeway lanes, the Department of Transportation said.

SLIDESHOW: Support Beam Dangles Over Freeway

All four lanes from southbound I-5 to eastbound I-90 were closed until around 9 p.m., said KIRO 7 Eyewitness News reporter Graham Johnson.

All the on-ramps to southbound I-5 from Seneca, James and Cherry streets in downtown were closed as well.

Trooper Dan McDonald told KIRO Eyewitness News a pickup was hauling a trailer loaded with concrete pavers southbound on I-5 when the trailer's axle broke, striking a support for the overhead sign.

"It is believed that a malfunction with the trailer's axle caused the trailer to whip uncontrollably," McDonald said in a news release.

Part of the support beam was hanging onto the freeway.

Three or four vehicles were hit by flying debris, but no one was hurt, McDonald said.

KIRO 7 video showed pieces of the support beam dangling over the roadway above the collector-distributor lanes.