Traffic around Aurora State Airport came to an abrupt halt Saturday morning after deputies spotted a suspicious backpack and called in a bomb squad. Technicians later inspected the item and officials said it was ultimately declared not dangerous.
According to KPTV, the Marion County Sheriff's Office shut down Arndt Road Northeast and Airport Road Northeast for roughly two hours while Oregon State Police bomb technicians checked out the bag. The sheriff's office did not say what, exactly, made the backpack look suspicious.
Where The Closure Happened
The closure hit a rural stretch where Arndt Road NE meets Airport Road NE, a corridor lined with farms, aviation-related businesses and access routes circling the airport. Drivers were told to steer clear of the area while crews worked, which caused local delays as traffic was rerouted, Country Herald reports.
About Aurora State Airport
Aurora State Airport is a state-owned general aviation field in Marion County that serves flight schools, helicopter operators and business aviation. The facility handles a high volume of daily operations, according to AirNav, which is one reason authorities treat any unattended item nearby with extra caution.
Why Bomb Crews Take No Chances
Unattended backpacks near public roads and airports routinely trigger bomb-squad responses because technicians have to rule out explosives or hazardous materials before officials reopen roads. The region has seen similar precautionary calls this spring, and not just near the airport.
KPTV reported on a pipe-bomb-like device that briefly shut down Geer Park on March 26. Right Now Oregon covered a suspicious package found near a Salem church on April 19. In both cases, technicians examined the items and determined they were safe.
Marion County officials have not released additional details about who first spotted the backpack or whether there are any suspects, and have said they will share updates if new information comes in. Authorities are continuing to urge residents to report suspicious items and to stay away from active investigation scenes so crews can work safely, Country Herald notes.
