Super wide load heading to Fort McMurray, travel delays expected

Travellers in and around the Lakeland area and heading to Fort McMurray over the next few days will notice a supersized load on the road. 

Delays should be expected if you encounter this convoy, which will have  four pilot vehicles that will block off lanes, close intersections and facilitate its movement along the route. At times, there will also be a police escort to control traffic.

On Tuesday, it will begin from the Two Hills scales and continue its path, projected to arrive in Fort McMurray on Saturday.

This super heavy wide load will be 8.7 metres wide, 10.2 metres high, 69.5 metres long, weighs 444,000 kilograms and will be carried by 192 wheels. Due to its large size and weight, it will only travel at 60 km/h and will use the entire width of the highway, including the shoulder.

At times, it will travel against the flow of traffic. In some areas, power line lifts will be required.

Travel route:

Day 1 March 6 (Early Morning)

• Exit from 9325 51 Avenue, Edmonton
• 51 Avenue Eastbound
• 75 Street Southbound
• Whitemud Eastbound counterflow
• Highway 216 Southbound counterflow
• Highway 14 Eastbound (Stage at 14/21 until daylight)

Day 1 March 6 (Day move)

• Highway 14 Eastbound
• Highway 36 Northbound
• Highway 45 Eastbound (park at Two Hills Scale)

Day 2 March 7 (Day Move)

• Highway 45 Eastbound
• Highway 36 Northbound
• Highway 29 Eastbound
• Highway 36 Northbound
• Highway 28 Westbound
• Highway 63 Northbound (park at Radway scale)

Day 3 March 8 (Day move)

• Highway 63 Northbound
• Highway 55 Eastbound
• Highway 63 Northbound (park at POE Staging area)

Day 4 March 9 (Night Move)

• Highway 63 Northbound
• Use ramps in Fort McMurray to avoid overpasses.
• Highway 63 Northbound (use Suncor Ramp to miss overpass)