A package left on a sidewalk outside the B.C. Legislature that forced evacuations and street closures is not dangerous, Victoria Police have confirmed.

The package was seized and roads surrounding the building were expected to reopen shortly, police tweeted around 6:30 p.m. Friday.

An area on Menzies Street outside of the building’s west annex was taped off just after 4 p.m. Police later extended the perimeter out of caution after the black bag was spotted on a sidewalk near the legislature.

It is unclear what part of the building was evacuated during the investigation.

Victoria Police spokesman Const. Matt Rutherford said crews were working "out of an abundance of caution" as they tried to determine the contents of the black bag.

"We've gone through the necessary steps and we're working with the legislature to get the people that need to be out, to get them out," he said.

Traffic was tied up in the area and motorists were advised to use an alternate route as police investigated.

The bag was spotted near a concrete divider separating the legislature’s lawn from the sidewalk.