Route 32 reopens in Mansfield after train derailment closed it for weeks
Route 32 in Mansfield has reopened to all traffic after a major train derailment earlier this month, the town announced.
Since the derailment on Feb. 5, Route 32 has been closed between Routes 44 and 275 in Mansfield as crews worked to clean up the mess. The train was carrying liquid propane, cooking grease, lumber, and grain, which is why it took almost two weeks to reopen the road.
Thirteen train cars became detached, and 10 of them derailed. Some rolled onto their sides and landed in the Willimantic River as well.
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Crews dealt with extreme cold as they worked to clear the debris and even ran into environmental issues.
Local businesses, such as Liquor Warehouse down the street, said they lost big business due to the road closure. They said they understood the slow process but were excited for the road to reopen.
“It could have been calamitous,” Mansfield town manager Ryan Aylesworth said. “It ended up being more of just a very large inconvenience and logistical challenge to navigate.”
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