As Ohio’s economy continues to grow, the first of nearly two dozen extremely large truckloads, known as “super loads,” will journey from the Ohio River to Central Ohio as soon as this week.
After arriving in Manchester (Adams County) via barge, each load will move onto a semi-truck and be transported via a predetermined route to destinations in either New Albany or Hebron. Most, but not all, of the loads are associated with the future Intel semiconductor facilities. The loads will not contain any hazardous material.
Some of the loads will tip the scales at 900,000 pounds, 19 feet wide, 24 feet high, and 270 feet long. Each oversized and overweight load will take approximately 8-15 days to reach its destination. While no official closures or detours are planned, slow-rolling roadblocks will be necessary during transit, and drivers should plan ahead for long delays along the route.
The Ohio Department of Transportation has carefully analyzed and planned the route to make sure these super loads can be accommodated. Since each load will be escorted by several Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers, emergency traffic will get around the rolling roadblock with minimal delay. Working with partners like local governments and utility companies, obstructions along the route such as large overhead signs, traffic signals, and utility lines have been adjusted and moved.
“For months, we have been working in coordination with the Ohio State Highway Patrol and local stakeholders along the route to ensure each move goes as smoothly as possible with minimal impacts to those who live and work in the communities along the route,” said ODOT Director Jack Marchbanks. “We will work to provide as much notice as possible so that drivers can plan ahead and use alternate routes.”
The schedule of each of these loads will be checked against local events, like festivals and fairs, to further minimize impacts.
“Moving loads like these is not new for ODOT and our various partners. However, what makes this situation unique is the number of these types of loads arriving in short succession,” said Mike Moreland, administrator of ODOT’s Office of Special Hauling Permits.
Notifications will be made in advance of each load leaving the dock on the Ohio River near the village of Manchester in Adams County. Updates will be provided as each load moves north toward central Ohio.
The first load will be delivered to Hebron in Licking County.
