Police activity snarled traffic in both directions on State Route 163 Friday afternoon as officials shut down several freeway lanes near the Laurel Street Bridge.
The delay began around 4:20 p.m. when police were called out to a distressed person on the bridge near Balboa Park. CHP officials then began blocking off traffic on northbound and southbound SR-163 at the Laurel Street Bridge.
By 4:30 p.m., a SigAlert had been issued in the area, causing major traffic during rush hour that was backed up for miles. Traffic was snarled as far back as Genesee Avenue on the southbound side of SR-163. Commuters driving through the on and off ramps on the freeway also experienced long delays.
By 5:30 p.m., police said the suspect on the bridge had been taken into custody. The freeway lanes were re-opened shortly thereafter.
