George Washington Bridge latest: One of New York's busiest bridges forced to close over 'bomb threat'

One of New York’s busiest bridges was forced to close after police received reports of a bomb threat, authorities said.

All lanes on the George Washington Bridge were shut at about 9pm local time after a threat about a “suspicious package” was made.

Mayor of New York Bill de Blasio announced the bridge’s closure on Twitter, and urged people to seek alternative routes.

Officials say the suspicious device was found on the upper level of the bridge near the New Jersey side just before 9:30pm on Thursday night, causing authorities to briefly shut down traffic in both directions.

Warning people at the time, the Mayor said: "The George Washington Bridge is now closed in both directions due to police activity. NYPD is responding with its partners to a suspicious device.

"Expect detours and delays around the GWB approaches. Use alternate routes."

The Port Authority Police and Bergen County bomb squad were at the scene, along with the New York Police Department, which gave the all clear just after 11 p.m.

The bridge, which spans the Hudson River, is considered one of the busiest in the world.

After both lanes reopened, motorists suffered heavy delays after authorities checked the rain-drenched bridge.