Updated: 6:32 p.m.

Police closed the Federal Center Southwest Metro station and several roads Thursday to clear a suspicious package found near the top of the stairs by the newspaper racks. The Metro and roads were reopened around 6 p.m.

“It’s a cell phone with an attaché-style briefcase, and you can see wires sticking out of it,” Capitol Police spokeswoman Sgt. Kimberly Schneider said. Capitol Police and Metro Transit Police were involved in the investigation.

Third Street Southwest between C and E streets Southwest, D Street Southwest between Fourth and Second streets Southwest and several other blocks in the area were closed.

A shuttle bus transported Metro riders who normally board at Federal Center to L’Enfant Plaza and Capitol South Metro stops during the closure.