Untitled Document

ITD to hold two public meetings on U.S. 12 transports

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.