COLUMBUS – The next “super load” of massive equipment bound for destinations in central Ohio will be the first to travel from the Ohio River to New Albany.
The previous three of nearly two dozen “super loads,” including one currently en route, have all ended at a recycling facility in Hebron.
The fourth load will begin its journey on Wednesday from a dock near the village of Manchester in Adams County to the Intel semiconductor plants in New Albany (see map), hauling an air processor weighing 378,400 pounds.
Ohio Department of Transporation officials say the giant truck and trailer will pause for the solar eclipse, which is expected to bring large amount of traffic to the area on April 8, and will deliver its cargo on April 9.
Along the way, the truck and its convoy will stop in West Portsmouth, Chillicothe, Rickenbacker, and either Pickerington or Pataskala before completing its trip.
This load is 19’3” tall, 20 feet wide, and 128.5 feet long.
Route Information for Wednesday, April 3
- The load will pull out of the dock onto US 52 at approximately 8:15 a.m., just after the last bus transporting students to Manchester Local Schools passes the site.
- The load is expected to cross over and travel the wrong way in the US Route 52 Westbound lanes just before the junction of SR 239 & US Route 52.
- The load will travel North on the SR 239 Southbound ramp toward SR 73/SR 852
- Overnight Location: SR 239 near where US Route 52 connects to State Route 73/104
The third “super load,” a 549,000-pound kiln was delivered to a plastics recycling facility in Hebron on Saturday.
ODOT has planned the route to make sure the massive truckloads can be accommodated and obstructions along the route, such as large overhead signs, traffic signals, and utility lines, have been adjusted or moved by local governments and utility companies.
Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers escorting each convoy will make sure emergency traffic will get around rolling roadblock with minimal delay, ODOT officials say.