What to know about super loads as million-pound shipment heads to Intel
View a previous report on Intel’s super loads in the video player above.
NEW ALBANY, Ohio (WCMH) — Traffic is expected to be delayed in several central Ohio communities over the coming days as the 15th super load, the fourth and final weighing nearly 1 million pounds, heads to Intel’s Ohio One construction site.
The last “extra large super load” began its trip Wednesday from a dock on the Ohio River in Adams County. In March, the Ohio Department of Transportation began its months-long shipment project. Most have gone to the Intel plant in New Albany, but the first few went to a recycling facility in a different part of Licking County.
Intel provided additional information on what the super loads are carrying in July.
ODOT answered frequently asked questions about the massive shipments on the super load page of its website. Here are the answers to some of those questions.
Why does it take so long?
Most of the shipments have taken somewhere between a week to 10 days to make it to their final destination. ODOT said the route was planned in advance to make accommodations like raising overhead lines and relocating utility poles. Despite these actions being taken, the loads must move at slow speeds to make sure everyone involved is safe.
Overnight parking locations were selected to work with the slow space of the shipments and restrictions to drivers’ schedules.
Who’s paying for this?
While the hauler is usually responsible for the costs associated with this type of transportation project, ODOT has covered some of the bill in cases where it benefits all road users. One example of this includes permanently raising some overhead signs along the route, which ODOT opted to cover instead of putting up temporary signs that would need to be removed and replaced each time a load passed through.
Can they be moved on weekends/at night?
The super loads can be moved over the weekend, but not exclusively. ODOT said if the transportation project only took place on weekends that it would take around four months to move each load, meaning it would take years to move all of the shipments.
Due to safety concerns, the super loads can’t be moved at night.
What if emergency vehicles need to get through?
Emergency vehicles can get through roads impacted by the traffic delays, according to ODOT. Accommodations will be made in the event that an emergency vehicle needs to pass.
(Courtesy Photo/Ohio Department of Transportation)
The route
After starting Wednesday, the 23-foot-tall, 20-foot-wide, 280-foot-long shipment weighing in at 916,000 pounds is expected to continue along the following route, before its arrival Tuesday:
Saturday — Starts in Ross County and travels through Pickaway County into Franklin County, with an approximate departure of 5:45 a.m.
Travel north on State Route 104 to State Route 762 near Commercial Point
Travel east on State Route 762 to Rickenbacker Parkway
Overnight location: Rickenbacker
Sunday — Starts in and travels through Franklin County into Fairfield County, with an approximate departure of 5:45 a.m.
Travel north on Rickenbacker Parkway north to State Route 317
Travel north on State Route 317 past Groveport to Bixby Road East
Travel east on Bixby Road to U.S. 33
Travel east in the westbound lanes of U.S. 33 to the Gender Road southbound to U.S. 33 westbound ramp in Canal Winchester
Travel the wrong way on Gender Road southbound to U.S. 33 westbound ramp
Take State Route 674/Gender Road north to Brice Road
Travel north on Brice Road to the Tussing Road/State Route 204 intersection in Columbus
Travel east on Tussing Road/State Route 204 toward State Route 310
Overnight location: Freedom Way in Pickerington
Monday — Starts in Fairfield County and travels into Licking County, with an approximate departure of 9 a.m.
Travel east on Tussing Road/State Route 204 to State Route 310
Travel north on State Route 310 to U.S. 40 in Etna
Travel west on U.S. 40 to Mink Street
Travel north on Mink Street to State Route 16
Travel east on State Route 16 to Park Avenue
Overnight location: Pataskala
Tuesday — Starts in and travels through Licking County, arriving at Intel site in New Albany, with an approximate departure of 9 a.m.
Travel east on State Route 16 to State Route 310
Travel north on State Route 310 to State Route 161
Travel west on State Route 161 to Mink Street
Travel north on Mink Street to Clover Valley Road NW
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