Delay in start of trip for 430,000-pound oversize load from Albion to Byron

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – A transformer is loaded and ready to go on a slow ride from Albion to Byron. The transformer was brought in by railroad to Albion on Tuesday. Today it is scheduled to travel by truck and trailer to Byron.

However, the journey is currently delayed. National Grid was notified late and the company needs to be present when its powerlines are touched.

The 430,000-pound load will disrupt traffic on Route 98. The transformer’s journey starts at Hamilton Street in Albion and then heads south to Allen Road, then east to Route 98. From there its south  on 98 through Albion, Barre and  to Elba.

Once at Lockport Road, the  load will continue on North Byron Road to south on Searls Road to east on Tower Hill Road. The trip ends south on Byron Road in the town of Byron.

State police are providing an escort. The height of this load will necessitate the lifting of most overhead wires and traffic control devices. The load will move into oncoming traffic to avoid overhead obstructions.

The weight of the load will keep speeds to around 5 to 10 miles per hour with many stoppages, State Police said.