A suspicious suitcase closed a major Chilliwack train crossing for more than two hours Wednesday before being deemed harmless by a police-dog unit.

Mounties were notified of the suitcase lying in the middle of the railway tracks at the Young Road crossing around 6 a.m. Wednesday morning.

Police treated the suitcase as if it could be dangerous. They shut down the crossing to both cars and trains and called in the Lower Mainland District Police Dog Service.

The suitcase was determined to be harmless shortly after 8 a.m. It was removed and the crossing was reopened.

Chilliwack motorists were delayed as several trains backed up by the closure made their way through the city.

tolsen@chilliwacktimes.com