CDOT: I-25 may be reopened later this week as crews begin clearing coal, metal debris

The Colorado Department of Transportation has begun cleanup of the recent deadly train derailment to facilitate Interstate 25 potentially reopening later this week. 

The derailment happened on Sunday afternoon, October 15th near Pueblo, Colorado and killed one truck driver after the derailed train caused a bridge to collapse on top of him. The truck driver has since been identified as 60-year-old Lafollette Henderson of Compton, California, reported The Gazette. 

According to 11 News, with the cleanup underway, drivers may be able to get back on I-25 by the end of the week. 

“I-25 is a major artery through the United States and through Colorado. We want to make sure it’s open for the livelihood of our communities,” said Amber Shipley, a spokesperson with the Colorado Department of Transportation.

While truckers in the area are sensitive to the tragedy that took the life of another driver, they say the closure of the interstate has made their jobs that much more difficult, adding time to their hauls and costing them money. 

”A lot of truckers have been here since it happened and, you know, and nobody wants to take the long route to go to leave here,” said Tanya Mercer, a truck driver.

“It could be somebody’s dad. Somebody’s husband. That’s how it is around here; once you leave, you never know if you’re gonna come back,” said Kenneth Romero, a truck driver from New Mexico.

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the incident. Initial reports are expected to be available within a month, but a final report may not be complete for two more years.