photo by: Kim Callahan/Journal-World

A Lawrence Police Department patrol vehicle is pictured June 28, 2022.

Lawrence police shut down the southbound lanes of the Kansas River Bridge Tuesday afternoon.

Police and fire crews responded to a fire underneath the bridge about 12:15 p.m. The two southbound lanes lead into downtown.

It was not immediately clear what had caused the fire.

Southbound traffic was still backed up as of 1:15 p.m.

Northbound lanes were still open, but motorists were asked to avoid the area completely, if possible.