6/11/2010
Meetings scheduled to provide information and take public comment on plans to truck large equipment on U.S. 12
BOISE - Public meetings will be held June 28 and June 29 to provide information and take comment on proposed plans by Imperial Oil to truck up to 200 large pieces of equipment on U.S. 12.
The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) and Imperial Oil will jointly host the meetings on Monday, June 28, in Lewiston and on Tuesday, June 29, in Kooskia.
Imperial Oil is proposing to haul equipment from the Port of Lewiston on U.S. 12 in Idaho, then into Montana. From Montana, the equipment will be driven to Alberta, Canada, for the Kearl oil sands project in northern Alberta.
"The Idaho Transportation Department is listening to concerns about the transport plans," Alan Frew, ITD motor vehicle administrator, said. "Permits will be issued only if we are convinced the equipment can be moved safely, without risk to the roads and bridges, and with minimal disruption to traffic."
To qualify for the permits, ITD will require Imperial Oil to:
- Comply with the ITD's approved vehicle configuration and weight limits
- Submit a traffic control plan
- Transport the equipment at night when vehicle volumes are the lowest
- Use pullovers to minimize traffic delays to no more than 15 minutes
- Facilitate emergency response for law enforcement, fire, ambulance
calls and other emergencies
The public meetings will be at the following locations:
Lewiston: 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., Monday, June 28, Red Lion Inn,
621 21st St.
Kooskia: 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., Tuesday, June 29, Kooskia City
Hall, 26 South Main St.
Comments or questions on Imperial Oil's plan to transport the equipment can be made by attending the meetings and using comment forms, by mailing the Idaho Transportation Department at P.O. Box 7129, Boise, 83707-1129, or by emailing comments@itd.idaho.gov. An overview of Imperial Oil's transport plans also can be viewed at www.kearltransport.com/Idaho. The deadline for comments is July 14.