2/17/2011
Permit for second oversized load to travel U.S. 12 issued to Emmert International; new travel plan addresses ITD concerns
LEWISTON - A permit for a second oversized load to be transported on U.S. 12 was issued to Emmert International today after the company's new plan to reduce traffic delays was approved by the Idaho Transportation Department.
The load is tentatively scheduled to leave the Port of Lewiston tonight (Feb. 17) at 10.
During the first shipment, traffic delays longer than the allowed 15 minutes occurred between Orofino and Kooskia. To address those delays, Emmert International made the following adjustments:
- The load will travel over two nights rather than one between Orofino and Kooskia.
- It will depart Orofino at 10 p.m. and travel to milepost 54.8 and then park allowing traffic to pass. The load will resume traveling at approximately 2:30 a.m. when traffic in the area is at its lowest.
- Vehicles will travel ahead of the load and pilot cars to communicate information about oncoming traffic. This will allow the transport to have maximum travel time before encountering vehicles.
- Seven trucking companies that travel this stretch of U.S. 12 at night have agreed to rearrange schedules to avoid encountering the load.
- To better negotiate curves through this section, the load will be manually steered. This method allows sharper turns. It is similar to the steering used on longer fire engines.
- Additional nights will also be allowed to transport the load due to the higher level of traffic than anticipated and because of the effects of cold temperatures and wind chill on the crew.
The new plan allows seven nights to travel to the Montana border.
"ITD believes the adjustments made to the travel plan will reduce delays and improve safety," Doral Hoff, a maintenance engineer for the Idaho Transportation Department, said.
The shipments are still required to travel between 10 p.m. and 5:30 a.m.
The new schedule is:
Night 1 Port of Lewiston to milepost 38.8, just west of Orofino
Night 2 Milepost 38.8 to milepost 61, five miles west of Kamiah
Night 3 Milepost 61 to milepost 73.7, Kooskia weigh station
Night 4 Milepost 73.7 to milepost 103.9
Night 5 Milepost 103.9 to milepost 136.1
Night 6 Milepost 136.1 to milepost 169
Night 7 Milepost 169 to 9.5 miles into Montana
Adjustments will also be made in how the load crosses five U.S. 12 bridges.
ITD weighed the second load last week and determined it was 34,000 pounds heavier than listed by the transport company. The shipment was then analyzed by the department's bridge engineers and modifications were required to safely cross the bridges. The load weighs approximately 705,000 pounds.
At the U.S. 12 Arrow Bridge (milepost 14.9), Maggie Creek Bridge (milepost 76.7), and Fish Creek Bridge (milepost 120.1), dollies will be added in a different location on the trailer to redistribute the weight before crossing. Dollies were required to cross these bridges during the first transport.
In addition, dollies will now be required to cross the bridges at milepost 41.5 (2.5 miles west of Orofino) and at the Weir Creek Bridge (milepost 142.1).
The schedule for the third and fourth shipments has not been set.
ConocoPhillips established a toll-free information line, updated daily at noon, for reports on the shipment. The number is (866) 535-0138.
Motorists also can check ITD's website, itd.idaho.gov, the state's traveler service website, 511.idaho.gov, or dial 5-1-1 for information.