MIA Intermodal re-opens after suspicious note

MIAMI (WSVN) -- The Intermodal Center across from Miami International Airport has returned to normal after a suspicious note forced the evacuation of the large garage.

The Car Rental Center reopened just before 5:45 p.m. Wednesday after police had ordered it closed for nearly two hours, leaving travelers inconvenienced. Now that the Rental Center has re-opened travelers must deal with gridlock as the rental companies work to catch up. "We don't know. We are here, and I hope that we make our plane," one traveler said, as she waited in line to return a car.

Earlier, the Miami-Dade bomb squad and police arrived on the scene after someone noticed the suspicious note. They ordered the evacuation of the Intermodal Center between Northwest 25th Street and 21st Street, along 39th Avenue, just before 4 p.m. as they investigated reports of a suspicious item left inside a vehicle at the MIA Car Rental Center inside the complex.

According to a spokesperson for Miami International Airport, they had to bus about 500 passengers affected from the Sheraton hotel, located just southwest of the center, to the airport so they can make their flights. "There is no way to get in the car rental center, and I am worried that I could miss my flight," said Miriam Ortiz.

The Metrorail even stopped ahead of the station for the Intermodal Center and let off riders early to take buses to their next destination.

Gene Woods was able to drop-off his rental car and catch his flight. "Just in the nick of time for me to go to Santiago," he said. "I'm glad I could make the plane."

The FBI was even called to the scene.

Authorities have obtained the note and are trying to determine who left it in the vehicle.

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