Caravan heads from Albion to Byron with 430,000-pound oversize load

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – A group moves a transformer down Allen Road this morning in Albion. Personnel are escorting the vehicle, holding up wires.

The journey started at about 9 a.m. from near the railroad tracks in Albion and went south on Hamilton Street and then turned east onto Allen Road.

The transformer is headed to a solar project in Byron.

The load heads up Hamilton Street underneath utility wires.

The oversize load weighs 430,000 pounds and is shown on Allen Road. Motorists are expected to experience delays today and are urged to consider alternate routes.

Once on Route 98, the group with the oversize load will pass through Barre and part of Elba.

They will turn on Lockport Road in Elba and continue to North Byron Road, and then go on Searls Road to Tower Hill Road and then Byron Road in Byron. The entire trip is about 17 miles.

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.

Route 98 will be closed for an undisclosed amount of time to all traffic from Old Orchard Road to Lockport Road.

The load heads south on Route 98 after making the turn off of Allen Road.

Another oversize load is expected a week from today.