Empty pipe with wires caused I-75 shutdown in Cobb, police say
A portion of I-75 in Cobb County was closed for about two hours Friday afternoon because of a “suspicious item” left in the road, according to police.
The item was a pipe with what looked like wires on both ends, Cobb police said late Friday. But it turned out to be empty with nothing hazardous inside.
“At this time, it is not known how the pipe came to be on the roadway, who placed it there, or whether it was done intentionally,” police said.
The device caught the eye of motorist, who reported what looked like pipe bomb shortly before 4 p.m., according to police.
“Out of an abundance of caution, the roadway was shut down to prevent motorists from coming into contact with the item,” police said.
The Cobb police bomb squad used a robotic device to remove the item from the interstate. The device was examined and determined to be harmless, police said.
Just before 6 p.m., northbound lanes reopened. Southbound lanes reopened a short time later. By then, traffic was already jammed, with backups in all directions in the heart of the evening commute.
The interstate had to be shut down in both directions between Delk and Windy Hill roads, near Marietta. Motorists were not able to access I-75 from I-285 East or West during the closures.
Several other agencies assisted with the investigation and traffic control, including Marietta police, the Georgia State Patrol, the Cobb Sheriff’s Office and the Georgia Department of Public Safety.
“We sincerely appreciate the public’s patience as first responders worked to remove the suspicious item and safely reopen the roadway,” Cobb police said. “The Cobb County Police Department encourages all residents and motorists to promptly report any suspicious items or activities.”
