The first of the so called "mega-loads" passed through our neighboring town of Arco, Idaho on December 31, 2013. This would be the first of 3 similar loads to cross the state enroute from the place of manufacture in Vale Oregon to their final destination in the Athabasca Tar Sands Oil Fields of northeast Alberta, Canada.
The route of travel is through eastern Oregon to the Idaho border at Ontario, then to Mountain Home, along U.S Highway 20 through Fairfield, to Carey, then Arco along U.S. Highway 20, 93 to the junction of Idaho Highway 33 through Howe to the junction of Idaho 33 and Idaho 28 then up Idaho 28 to the junction with U.S. Highway 93, along Highway 93 through Salmon to Missoula Montana and on into Canada.
When traveling through Idaho, the loads are only allowed on the roads between the hours of 10:00 pm. and 6:00 am. No travel is allowed during bad weather. Speed of travel is about 10 miles per hour. The load is pulled by one tractor and pushed by to others. A sort of rolling road block moves with the load as it proceeds along the roads as the loads are 380+ feet long, 18 feet high and 23 feet wide and weigh 450 tons.
The loads being hauled are pieces of oil refinery equipment to be used in the processing of oil from the tar sands. They will be used in the extraction of crude oil from bitumen. Bitumen is a gooey solid substance. Most of the crude oil is transported to refineries in the Unites States by pipeline.
This morning on our way to Idaho Falls, we passed one of these loads at the weigh station pull out near the junction of U.S. 20 and Idaho 33 about 7 miles southeast of Arco. We are not sure if this is the second or the third load as is takes quite a while to travel (approximately 100 miles per day) from Oregon but we are assuming it is the third and final load. Anyway, regardless of which load it was, we were able to see it and take pictures of one of the loads that has caused so much excitement.
When I took these pictures there were 2 security vehicles with the caravan. The person in the pickup is waving and laughing about me taking her picture.
The route of travel is through eastern Oregon to the Idaho border at Ontario, then to Mountain Home, along U.S Highway 20 through Fairfield, to Carey, then Arco along U.S. Highway 20, 93 to the junction of Idaho Highway 33 through Howe to the junction of Idaho 33 and Idaho 28 then up Idaho 28 to the junction with U.S. Highway 93, along Highway 93 through Salmon to Missoula Montana and on into Canada.
When traveling through Idaho, the loads are only allowed on the roads between the hours of 10:00 pm. and 6:00 am. No travel is allowed during bad weather. Speed of travel is about 10 miles per hour. The load is pulled by one tractor and pushed by to others. A sort of rolling road block moves with the load as it proceeds along the roads as the loads are 380+ feet long, 18 feet high and 23 feet wide and weigh 450 tons.
The loads being hauled are pieces of oil refinery equipment to be used in the processing of oil from the tar sands. They will be used in the extraction of crude oil from bitumen. Bitumen is a gooey solid substance. Most of the crude oil is transported to refineries in the Unites States by pipeline.
This morning on our way to Idaho Falls, we passed one of these loads at the weigh station pull out near the junction of U.S. 20 and Idaho 33 about 7 miles southeast of Arco. We are not sure if this is the second or the third load as is takes quite a while to travel (approximately 100 miles per day) from Oregon but we are assuming it is the third and final load. Anyway, regardless of which load it was, we were able to see it and take pictures of one of the loads that has caused so much excitement.
Load of Oil Refining Equipment
There are eight axles on each side, front and rear for a total of 16 axles in the front and 16 axles in the rear with 4 tires and wheel per axle. This makes 128 tires on the trailer only. Also notice the concrete blocks over the drive wheels of the lead tractor (truck) to provide traction so it can pull the load. If you look close, you can see the two push tractors in the rear next to the service truck.
Closer View of Load (Large Tank) Enclosed within Framework of Trailer
The load is posted with the Traffic Control posts to keep people from getting to close to the load.
Lead Truck Pulling Load
Security Vehicles that Accompany the Load
Shop Truck and Mechanics
A shop truck, spare tires, wheels, etc. accompany the load while in transit. Talking with the mechanics they told me they had a great job. The red pickup is not associated with the load but is just an onlooker like me.
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