Columbus, Ohio – On Wednesday, July 24, the fourteenth of nearly two dozen “super loads” will embark from Adams County to the new Intel plant site in Licking County, Ohio. This particular load, a colossal air processor known as a cold box, is essential for silicon chip manufacturing and will be one of the heaviest and largest items transported, tipping the scales at 915,546 pounds and stretching nearly 280 feet in length.
The move is scheduled to span over a week, concluding on Tuesday, July 30. The route will take the convoy through several key Ohio locations, including West Portsmouth, Lucasville, Chillicothe, Rickenbacker, Pickerington, and Pataskala. Due to the extraordinary dimensions and weight of the cold box, which measures 22 ft. 9 in. tall and 19 ft. 9 in. wide, meticulous planning and coordination have been necessary to ensure safe and efficient transport.
Comprehensive route details and traffic advisories are available for public review at transportation.ohio.gov/superload. Motorists in the region are advised to anticipate significant delays and are encouraged to avoid the designated route while the convoy is in transit.
Safety and Traffic Management
The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) has taken extensive measures to accommodate the gargantuan load. Adjustments have been made to traffic infrastructure, such as relocating large overhead signs, traffic signals, and utility lines, to facilitate the smooth passage of the convoy. Additionally, each transport is escorted by multiple Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers to manage traffic and ensure safety.
ODOT has also adjusted the timing of the moves to start earlier than in previous trips, allowing the convoys to travel during daylight hours to maximize safety and minimize disruption. The decision to conduct these moves during the day is crucial, given the slow speed of the convoy and its significant impact on normal traffic flow.
Public Interest and Community Impact
Anticipated public interest in the transport process has prompted authorities to call for safe spectator behavior. Large crowds are expected to gather along the route, potentially leading to further traffic delays. Safety officials are urging observers to maintain a safe distance from the transport trucks and work crews, adhere to sidewalk restrictions, and comply with any orders to move back, ensuring both public safety and that of the workers involved.
The scheduling of these super loads is also being carefully coordinated with local events such as festivals and fairs to minimize community impact. ODOT continues to issue notifications in advance of each departure from the dock on the Ohio River near the village of Manchester, providing regular updates as the loads progress towards central Ohio.
For ongoing information, route changes, or to sign up for email alerts regarding the super load transport, interested parties are encouraged to visit the dedicated webpage at transportation.ohio.gov/superload.
