State Route 16 Ramp Re-Opened After Scare

A bomb scare in Newark this afternoon shut down a ramp to State Route 16 and caused an evacuation.

However, authorities say what was thought to be dangerous was actually just a piece of pipe.

The incident happened around noon on the Mount Vernon Road ramp to State Route 16.

Newark Mayor, Bob Diebold, says when the pipe was spotted, yellow barricades were placed and traffic was blocked. Some people who lived close to the ramp were evacuated as well.

"This being dropped along the freeway, first you would think it’s an architect’s plans, but because it was less than 13 inches in length, as it was described to me, indicated it was a pipe bomb size where a longer tube would be used for architectural plans," says Diebold.

Crews were also suspicious of the pipe for another reason.

"A device similar to this was left at the governor’s mansion at some point or in that vicinity. It was an explosive, " says Diebold.

The Columbus Bomb Squad was called in to evaluate and detonate the bomb, which turned out to only be a plumber’s pipe. Diebold says the piece apparently fell off a city street department truck. He says crews reacted the way they were supposed to.

"To know it’s there and not react would be a bigger mistake than to react and be safe, " says Diebold.

The ramp re-opened within a couple hours and people were able to return to their homes.