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EDMONTON — Drivers travelling between Edmonton and Fort McMurray are being advised to expect delays as a super-heavy industrial load makes its way north over several days along highways leading into the region.
Alberta Transportation says the oversized load, a de-methanizer pressure vessel used in natural gas processing, began moving from south Edmonton on Feb. 22 and is scheduled to arrive near Fort McMurray by the end of the week.
Because of its size and weight, the load will travel at a maximum speed of about 50 kilometres per hour with guide vehicles, sometimes using the full width of highways, including shoulders and counterflow lanes, to navigate turns and tight sections.
The vessel measures roughly 104 metres long, 6.5 metres wide and nearly eight metres high, weighing more than 563,000 kilograms including support equipment. The multi-axle trailer carrying the unit uses 352 wheels to distribute the load.
The transport is making staged stops along highways east and north of Edmonton before continuing up Highway 63. Once near Fort McMurray, officials say the convoy will use ramps and alternate routing to avoid overpasses before completing the final move to an industrial site north of the city.
Motorists are being asked to slow down, follow instructions from pilot vehicles and plan for delays, particularly along Highway 63 during the final stages of the move.
Up-to-date road conditions and traffic advisories are available through Alberta’s 511 service, including its website, mobile app and phone line.
Alberta Transportation says a second super-heavy load is also scheduled to move later in the week, travelling from Edmonton to Fort Saskatchewan.
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