Why a Major Atlanta Highway Was Completely Empty

— -- A suspicious package report closed a major highway in Atlanta this afternoon, causing extreme traffic ahead of the evening rush hour.

The Georgia DOT reported that 14th Street closed between Techwood Dr. and West Peachtree St. and I-75/85 closed north and southbound at 14th Street. The ramps to 14th from I-75/85 in both directions were also closed.

All lanes of travel were reopened later in the afternoon and the scene was "rendered all clear," Atlanta police told ABC News.

Check out the deserted roads:

This isn't the first time severe traffic has struck Atlanta.

One year ago, a freak snow storm turned the city's roads into sheets of ice and left thousands of drivers stranded. A driver trying to get to the airport told ABC News he traveled one mile in eight hours.

This driver said he spent 19 hours on the road: