Large load to cause travel delays in Edmonton area

A file photo of an EO reactor being prepped for transport in January. (Credit: Province of Alberta)

Drivers are being warned about possible delays as a large, slow-moving load will travel from Edmonton to a refinery in Strathcona County starting Tuesday evening.

The load is an EO reactor that is 9.8 metres (32.1 feet) wide, 9.3 metres (30.5 feet) high, 141 metres (462.5 feet) long and weighs 1,766,400 kg (3,894,245 lbs.).

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The reactor is used in the oil refining process.

Due to the size and weight of the reactor, it can travel at a maximum speed of 30 km/h. The trailers carrying it will have 832 wheels total.

The load will take up the entire width of the highway, including the shoulder and will occasionally travel against the flow of traffic.

Roads and lanes will be blocked off accordingly and guide vehicles and police vehicles will be present to close intersections and facilitate the move.

The reactor will start its journey at Dacro Industries Inc. in south Edmonton at night on Feb. 11, with the route being:

Feb. 11 (Night Move)

• exit from 9325 51 Avenue, Edmonton;

• 51 Avenue eastbound;

• 75 Street southbound;

• Whitemud eastbound counterflow; to

• Highway 216 southbound counterflow (stage at Highway 216 bypass).

Feb. 12 (Night Move)

• Highway 216 southbound counterflow;

• Highway 14 eastbound;

• Highway 834 northbound closure; to

• Highway 15 westbound closure (park at Highway 15 wide spot by Lamont).

Feb. 13 (Day Move)

• Highway 15 westbound;

• Highway 15 westbound counterflow for 1.4 km;

• Range Road 214 north; and

• exit west into site (Shell Scotford Complex).

In January, another EO reactor and a coker drum impacted traffic on Alberta roads as they were transported to the Shell Scotford Complex and Fort McMurray.