Suspicious Package Investigation Snarls Woodrow Wilson Bridge Traffic

PHOTO: Woodrow Wilson Bridge southbound local lanes are closed while a bomb squad inspects a suspicious package on the pedestrian walkway. PG Fire Department Photo

Prince George’s County gave the “all clear” Friday afternoon, after an investigation into a suspicious package found on the Woodrow Wilson Bridge pedestrian walkway.

The investigation closed down the southbound local lanes that cross the bridge, diverting traffic to I-295 North.

The investigation began at about 12:45 p.m. and the all-clear was given at about 3:45 p.m. with roads reopening at about 4:30 p.m.

“X-rays of package were inconclusive. However info obtained from package label is proving to be useful,” Prince George’s County Fire Department said.

Multiple agencies were involved in the investigation including Prince George’s Fire Department, Prince George’s Police Department, Maryland State Police (@MDSP on Twitter) Maryland State Highway Administration (@MDSHA on Twitter), Virginia State Police, @MNCPPC Park Police, and the Alexandria Fire Department @AlexandriaVAFD.

The Prince George’s County Fire Department Bomb Squad investigation of the package found on the pedestrian walkway at Woodrow Wilson Bridge closed down local lanes heading southbound from Maryland to Virginia.

A bomb-sniffing K9 could be seen on the walkway.

Video below is from the scene Friday from the PG County Fire Department:

At about 2 p.m., a PGFD bomb tech arrived on the scene dressed in full protective gear and approached the suspicious package location via a police cart, according to Mark Brady, Prince George’s County Fire Department public information officer.

Traffic on the Maryland side was being diverted to I-295 North, Brady said.

The package was discovered mid-span closer to the Maryland side on the pedestrian walkway, he said.

Brady said he could not disclose information about what the package looked like or who called authorities.