(Newswire.net — February 6, 2015) — Atlanta, Georgia. – Trying to figure out whether it was a bomb, police shut down both lanes Monday at interstate 75/85. Finally, they discovered that it was a Georgia State University student’s art project attached to the outer frame of the 14th Street Bridge in downtown Atlanta. The project, however, wasn’t all that harmless since it created a major traffic jam.
Both lanes of Interstate 75/85 were closed by the Police for two hours. Aggravated drivers said bomb or not, the Police should be more efficient. The Police, however, blame the University.
“Georgia State has taken responsibility for the object,” Assistant Chief Shawn Jones said at a news conference Tuesday.
According to the CNN report, around 12:50 pm, after they received a 911 call regarding a suspicious package, the Police dispatched officers to check it out. At the scene, officers “found an object that looked like an explosive,” Jones said.
The CNN affiliate WSB, exclusively obtained the photos of the alleged bomb. It was a soda can covered in duct tape.
The Police immediately shut down all lanes of traffic to “conduct controlled disruption to render it safe,” Jones said. After a search, no explosives were found, and all lanes of interstate traffic reopened shortly after 4 pm. It is unclear though, if the longevity of the differentiate between a real threat and the artistic project is by standard police procedures. Nonetheless, the police blamed Georgia University for the traffic jam.
“Georgia State University sincerely apologizes for the traffic problems resulting yesterday from the mounting of a student camera at the 14th Street Bridge,” Don Hale with university media relations said in a press release.
Reportedly, no one noticed the 18 cameras deployed at various locations, attached to trees, fences and windows around the city, however, a duct taped soda can raise suspicions, reported CNN.
The incident is still under investigation, a Police representative said, adding it has yet to be determined if charges will be filed.