PORTSMOUTH, N.H. (AP) – Authorities in New Hampshire and Maine say a suspicious bag found Tuesday in the support structure of the Interstate-95 bridge over the Piscataqua River was not dangerous. Traffic was returning to normal after the incident.

State Safety Department spokesman Jim VanDongen said the package that prompted officials to close the southbound lanes on the bridge between Maine and New Hampshire was a backpack containing personal belongings of a female.

Southbound traffic was diverted to two other bridges between Kittery, Maine, and Portsmouth after a Transportation Department maintenance person discovered the backpack at mid-morning.

The Coast Guard also closed the river within 500 yards of either side of the bridge. VanDongen said the bag was found on a horizontal structure under the road surface.