Highway Closed Temporarily After UXO Reported

Fairbanks, Alaska A portion of Richardson Highway was shut down by Alaskan State Troopers for about two hours after a 28-year old resident reported a possible UXO in the road. The resident reported seeing a 61 mm mortar round along mile post 352.

State troopers contacted Eielson AFB's EOD unit for assistance as they responded to the scene. The Alaska Department of Transportation was also called in to erect temporary detour signs and barricades.

However, after further investigation the suspect item turned out not to be a mortar or even a munition at all as authorities identified the item as a part of a driveshaft from a vehicle. After the scene was clear, the highway was reopened to traffic.