Trailers with 256 wheels to slow traffic between Lloydminster and Fort Saskatchewan

Trailers with 256 wheels will be carrying a super-heavy load westbound in northeast Alberta starting Tuesday.

While the journey from Lloydminster to Fort Saskatchewan is estimated to take most road-users about two-and-a-half hours, motorists making the approximately 240-km commute could experience significant delays Dec. 9-10.

Due to its large size and weight, the large shipment being transported — an acetylene hydrogenation reactor used to purify ethylene streams in the petrochemical industry — will travel at a maximum speed of 60 km/h.

The total weight of the load, including support equipment, is 427,170 kg and consists of a reactor that is 6.4 m wide, 8.3 m high, and 60.4 m long.

The trailers will be moving in convoy with guide vehicles and will be using the entire width of the highway,  including the shoulder.

The slow-moving trailers will depart north from Lloydminster at 7 a.m., taking the exit at 5207 67 St. Lloydminster onto 67 Street westbound before making its way onto Township Road 502 westbound.

From there the load will travel southbound on Range Road 14, westbound on Highway 16, southbound on Highway 36, westbound on Highway 14, northbound on Highway 834 and westbound on Highway 15.

It will depart Wednesday from near Lamont at 9 a.m., taking Highway 15 westbound before travelling north along Range Road 220 and turning west into a work site.

Motorists are urged to plan ahead.

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