PORTSMOUTH, Ohio — The first super load hit the road Wednesday and is on its way to Hebron in Licking County. It is the first of about two dozen super loads traveling through Ohio in the next few months.
ODOT Press Secretary Matt Bruning said people have been looking forward to seeing the big trucks. There were people lined up near U.S. Route 52 and students stood outside Portsmouth West Elementary School on Wednesday to watch it as it embarks on its journey.
“This is something that is unique and for the neighborhoods and communities," Bruning said. “Our crews have had to analyze all the bridges, roadways, the vertical clearances. Can they make it under the power lines? Can they make it under other utility lines? Do we need to trim any trees? There's a lot that goes into this."
Bruning explained the first load is 390,000 pounds, 200 feet long, 18 feet 3 inches tall and 18 feet 6 inches wide. There's a backup semitrailer in case something happens to the one hauling the load, and dozens of utility workers in bucket trucks lifting power and utility lines so the super load can slide underneath.
“In some cases, I'm told, the utilities have been raised permanently because we know there is going to be a lot more than just this one coming through,” Bruning said.
Bruning said residents should not lose power as the super load is passing through the area.
He said a lot of planning has gone into where the loads will stop every night to make sure it can stay on schedule.
“Part of the planning is where can we park these things. This isn't just a 'we'll pull over at the gas station and put it in for the night,'” Bruning said.
On Saturday, it will travel through Franklin County and could impact some roadways.
According to ODOT, the load will depart from Rickenbacker Parkway at 7 a.m. and will travel north to Alum Creek Drive.
It will then travel:
- North on Alum Creek Drive to Rohr Road
- East on Rohr Road to Commerce Center Drive
- North on Commerce Center Drive to Green Pointe Drive South
- East on Green Point Drive South to Saltzgaber Road
- South on Saltzgaber Road to state Route 317
- North in the southbound lanes on Route 317 past Groveport to Bixby Road East
The company had to get a permit through ODOT for each one of these super loads. Each of those permits is about $1,000.