Bismarck Police Determine Device on Expressway Is Not Dangerous

Bomb squad called to investigate suspicious item, find it was just industrial equipment

Mar. 24, 2026 at 4:57pm

Traffic on the East Bismarck Expressway was stopped on Monday evening around 6:30 p.m. for a suspicious device investigation. The Bismarck Police Department's bomb squad was called to the scene to analyze the device, and they determined it was a piece of industrial electrical equipment, not an explosive. Officials said there was no threat to the public, and the expressway was reopened by 7:00 p.m.

Why it matters

Suspicious device reports can cause major traffic disruptions and raise public safety concerns, so it's important for authorities to quickly determine if there is a genuine threat or not. This incident highlights the importance of the Bismarck Police Department's bomb squad and their ability to safely and efficiently investigate potential threats to the community.

The details

According to the report, the suspicious device was discovered on the East Bismarck Expressway around 6:30 p.m. on Monday. The Bismarck Police Department responded and called in their bomb squad to analyze the item. After investigating, the bomb squad determined the device was simply a piece of industrial electrical equipment and posed no danger to the public. The expressway was reopened by 7:00 p.m. once the situation was resolved.

  • The incident occurred around 6:30 p.m. on Monday, March 24, 2026.
  • The bomb squad completed its investigation and the expressway was reopened by 7:00 p.m. the same day.

The players

Bismarck Police Department

The local law enforcement agency that responded to the report of a suspicious device and called in the bomb squad to investigate.

Bismarck Police Department Bomb Squad

The specialized unit within the Bismarck Police Department that was tasked with analyzing the suspicious device and determining it was not an explosive threat.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

The takeaway

This incident demonstrates the importance of having a well-trained and equipped bomb squad within the Bismarck Police Department. Their quick response and thorough investigation allowed them to swiftly determine there was no actual threat, minimizing disruption to the community and traffic. It's a testament to the department's preparedness and commitment to public safety.