UPDATE: Bomb Squad Detonates Suspicious Package, Downtown Connector Snarled

UPDATE (4:40 p.m.): Although the suspicious package which was attached to the 14th Street Bridge in Midtown was destroyed on Monday afternoon, traffic delays will likely persist through rush hour.

According to WSB-TV, the Atlanta Police Department used a fire truck ladder to get up close to the tube shaped object duct taped to the bridge. Once closer to the device, police used a remote-controlled robot to get a better view.

A member of the bomb squad then came onto the bridge, ran a wire through a fence to the device, and detonated the device using a charge, WSB-TV says.

WSB-TV says that one worker who saw the object up close said it had a description on it which read, “Slow motion video. Do not move until spring.”

Traffic delays in the area are significant; not only were all northbound and southbound lanes of I-75/85 at 14th Street shut down for several hours because of the package, 14th Street between Techwood Drive and West Peachtree Street was also blocked off.

ORIGINAL STORY (2:40 p.m.): A portion of the Downtown Connector has been closed while police investigate a suspicious package which was reported in the area.

According to WSB-TV, 14th Street between Techwood Drive and West Peachtree Street has been blocked off, as well as all northbound and southbound lanes of I-75/85 at 14th Street. The offramps are closed as well.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that there is a tube-shaped object attached with duct tape to the 14th Street Bridge.

WSB-TV’s live coverage of the situation is below: