Bridge connecting Michigan and Canada shut down to traffic due to discovery of possible explosives

DETROIT — Potential explosives were discovered in a vehicle crossing the Ambassador Bridge in Detroit Monday morning, leading officials to close the bridge, which connects the city with Windsor, Ontario, Canada, while they investigate.

Canadian border officials found the possible explosives during at the secondary inspection area and alerted Windsor police, according to officials. No threat was believed to be associated with the discovery and police believe it to be an isolated incident.

Heavy backups were experienced Monday morning, with trucks idle along the bridge on the both sides of the bridge as traffic from both sides is now closed. Traffic is being rerouted to the Windsor Detroit Tunnel and Blue Water Bridge.

Windsor police's explosives unit reportedly deployed a robot to further the investigation and bridge employees were told to leave work, according to reports from the scene.

In a statement to the Free Press, Canada Border Services Agency said it encourages travelers to use adjacent ports of entry and it is continuing to monitor the situation with emergency officials.

"We won't speculate when the crossing will re-open," the statement reads. "We will rely on emergency and highway officials to say when it is safe to travel on and will resume operations at that time."

Police are on the scene and more information will be released as it becomes known.

The public is encouraged to avoid the area.