'Suspicious package' closes Route 6

On Sunday [May 16] at about 8 p.m., local drivers were turned away from Route 6 at the entry on Main Street in Willimantic, when a section of that highway was blocked by state police cars.

State Police from Troop C were responding to a report of a “suspicious package” under one of the underpasses.

According to a dispatcher for Troop C, the “suspicious package” turned out to be a piece of equipment being used by University of Connecticut students as part of a project related to bridge structures.

The dispatcher did not know what the equipment was, but said, “The students had told the DOT (Department of Transportation) about the project, but they forgot to tell us.”

Calls to the DOT have not been returned at this time. More information will be added when it becomes available.

Posted May 17, 2010