Norfolk Bomb Threat: Tunnels Closed During Police Investigation

A bomb threat stalled Virginia commuters travelling through Norfolk as police investigated the scene. Police in the area and bomb crews began inspecting trucks Wednesday along the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel and the Monitor-Merrimac tunnels. Investigations continued even after the threat timed out. Both tunnels have since reopened after the scare. A call was placed that morning, prompting police to require immediate investigation of all trucks and commercial vehicles, resulting in major traffic jams throughout the area. Traffic was allowed to pass through as normal at around 3:15 p.m.

"At approximately 7:50 a.m., Wednesday (Sept. 11, 2013), Virginia State Police received a phone call regarding a bomb threat within the Hampton Roads region. The threat included a timeframe for the threat to occur, which has since expired. At this time, no incidents have been reported anywhere in the Hampton Roads region," a statement by the authorities handling the matter read. Investigators suspect that the call was purposely made during the 12th anniversary of 9/11, resulting in hightened security risks. State police are working with federal and local law enforcement to step up its investigations team. The incident is still being looked into. Full details regarding the threat have not been released, though FBI agents were called to the scene as well before traffic was allowed to resume.