New York's Port Authority reopens after 'suspicious package' scare
The Port Authority bus terminal was shut down after reports of a “suspicious package.” New York Police closed off 8th Avenue between 41st and 42nd Street, evacuating everyone and preventing people from coming in.
The closure comes on one of the busiest travel days of the year, as millions of Americans head to visit their families for the Thanksgiving holiday.
A bomb squad conducted a sweep of the area and did not find any explosives, local media reported. The terminal and the surrounding streets reopened around 7:15 p.m. local time.
New Jersey Transit rail has announced it would honor all NJ Transit bus tickets and passes out of New York City, due to the Port Authority shutdown.
Due to police activities at 8th Ave, the entrances/exits at 8th Ave, 40 & 41 St
are closed. Please use the entrances at 9th Ave & 42 street
— Port Authority (@PABusTerminal) November 25, 2015Eyewitnesses at the scene said the police were shooing people away from the building, and that helicopters could be heard overhead.
Port Authority is shut down. pic.twitter.com/eCaAdmqDk6
— Alexander Arslan (@AlexanderArslan) November 25, 2015nypostbiz: Complete chaos outside Port Authority. Station closed off inside and out pic.twitter.com/OQrowdyvg2 via claireatki
— James Nevill (@Exc_HL) November 25, 2015@TriciaBaron They're evacuating the building now. #portauthority#nyc
— Sarah Melissa (@AndSarahBaked) November 25, 2015I just got evacuated from #portauthority. Suspicious package. Army and cops everywhere.
— Kevin Barclay (@YellCrab) November 25, 2015
