LoungeMachine
10-18-2005, 01:07 PM
Breaking News: Terror Threat Prompts Closure Of Baltimore Tunnels
October 18, 2005 12:58 p.m. EST
Hector Duarte Jr. - All Headline News Staff Reporter
Baltimore, MD (AHN) - Federal and local authorities are investigating a potential terror threat, that shut down portions of Interstate 95 in Baltimore Tuesday. As a result, traffic was diverted from both the Harbor and Fort McHenry tunnels.
Police are checking tractor-trailers and vans.
A federal law enforcement official speaking to the Baltimore Sun says, "We did receive some threat information. They're in the process of working it through. We get a lot of this stuff. Each time you get it, you have to work it through until you can nail it down."
Officials are not specifying what they are investigating, but authorities say the closures are the result of information developed over the last few days.
The area most immediately affected is I-95 near the tunnels and Key Highway, near the Maryland Port.At the Fort McHenry Tunnel, police barricaded lanes, creating backups that could extend for miles and hamper traffic on one of the major East Coast corridors.
On their Internet site, the Maryland Transportation Authority police issued this alert:"As a result of police activity, I-895 (the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel) is closed in both directions. In addition, one tube in each direction is closed on north and southbound I-95 at the Fort McHenry Tunnel for police activity. Motorists are asked to use either I-695 across the Key Bridge or I-95 through the Fort McHenry Tunnel as alternates."
The Associated Press reports a law enforcement official, speaking on condition of anonymity, says the threat was phoned in by a person claiming to have information from abroad.
The official adds authorities are skeptical of the claim, but are investigating nonetheless as a precautionary measure.
October 18, 2005 12:58 p.m. EST
Hector Duarte Jr. - All Headline News Staff Reporter
Baltimore, MD (AHN) - Federal and local authorities are investigating a potential terror threat, that shut down portions of Interstate 95 in Baltimore Tuesday. As a result, traffic was diverted from both the Harbor and Fort McHenry tunnels.
Police are checking tractor-trailers and vans.
A federal law enforcement official speaking to the Baltimore Sun says, "We did receive some threat information. They're in the process of working it through. We get a lot of this stuff. Each time you get it, you have to work it through until you can nail it down."
Officials are not specifying what they are investigating, but authorities say the closures are the result of information developed over the last few days.
The area most immediately affected is I-95 near the tunnels and Key Highway, near the Maryland Port.At the Fort McHenry Tunnel, police barricaded lanes, creating backups that could extend for miles and hamper traffic on one of the major East Coast corridors.
On their Internet site, the Maryland Transportation Authority police issued this alert:"As a result of police activity, I-895 (the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel) is closed in both directions. In addition, one tube in each direction is closed on north and southbound I-95 at the Fort McHenry Tunnel for police activity. Motorists are asked to use either I-695 across the Key Bridge or I-95 through the Fort McHenry Tunnel as alternates."
The Associated Press reports a law enforcement official, speaking on condition of anonymity, says the threat was phoned in by a person claiming to have information from abroad.
The official adds authorities are skeptical of the claim, but are investigating nonetheless as a precautionary measure.