Quebec police stopped traffic in both directions on the Viau bridge for most of the afternoon Wednesday to investigate a crack in the overpass that links Montreal and Laval.

Police were called to Pont Viau late in the morning to investigate a pothole on the bridge.

But they found more than a pothole.

"We can see that pothole, and we have also seen a bigger crack just beside [it]. And we have closed the bridge to do more … investigation," said Laval police spokesman Daniel Guerin.

Transport Quebec engineers are investigating the crack.

The bridge closed at around 1:30 p.m. while inspection continued, and remained closed through the rush hour until just after 6 p.m., when all but one lane was opened.