Oversized Generator Transport Route, Days 4-6
Tuesday, June 22, 2010 | 03:42am
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - Motorists in Grainger and Claiborne Counties in Tennessee as well as Lee County, Virginia should expect delays on some state routes this week as a large generator is slowly transported by Barnhart Crane and Rigging Company through East Tennessee and Southwest Virginia Tuesday, June 22 through Thursday, June 24.
The generator and transportation rigging is a minimum of 22.2 feet wide, more than 365 feet long and will take up at least two travel lanes as it moves through northeast Tennessee and southwest Virginia. The hauling rig, trucks and generator combined weight is an estimated 640 tons. In order to safely move the massive structure, crews will only drive between 8 to 10 miles per hour with law enforcement escorting the load.
The transport of the oversized load will continue traveling through East Tennessee on Tuesday, June 22 at 10:00 p.m.
Weather permitting, the transport will travel on day 4 from:
- U.S. 25E/State Route-32 also known as Dixie Highway at the top of Clinch Mountain in Grainger County to Tazewell in Claiborne County.
- Traffic on U.S. 25E/State Route-32 will be delayed due to partial lane closures at the top of Clinch Mountain into Claiborne County.
- The oversized load will proceed on to the 5 lane section of U.S. 25E/State Route-32 into Claiborne County.
- At times a road closure of U.S. 25E/State Route-32 may be necessary.
- The load will stop for the day at designated location in Tazewell
Highway planners estimate it will take the generator approximately eight hours to travel the 14.2 mile route that will begin at 10:00 p.m.
On day 5- Wednesday, June 23, the transport will resume at 10:00 p.m. and will travel from:
- U.S. 25E/State Route-32 in Tazewell to U.S. 58E also known as Old Wilderness Road along the Tennessee/Virginia state line.
- Traffic on U.S. 25E/State Route-32 will be delayed due to partial lane closures from Tazewell to the Tennessee Virginia state line.
- Expect partial lane closures in the vicinity of the intersection of U.S. 25E and North Broad Street also known as State Route-33 in Tazewell.
- Convoy will cross Powell River on U.S. 25E/State Route-32 also known as Cumberland Gap Highway
- Convoy will continue to travel on U.S. 25E/State Route-32 into Harrogate
- Convoy will merge onto U.S. 58E within the Cumberland Gap National Historical Park
- Partial lane closures will be utilized at the junction of U.S. 25E/State-Route 32 and U.S. 58
The load will stop for the day at a designated location near the Tennessee Virginia state line.
Highway planners estimate it will take approximately eight hours to travel approximately 12 miles.
On day 6-Thursday, June 24, the transport will resume at 10:00 p.m. and will travel from:
- U.S 25E/State Route-32 in Claiborne County to U.S. 58E in Lee County, Virginia
- The convoy will travel along U.S. 58E before stopping in Ewing, Virginia
- Partial lane closures for portions of eastbound and westbound U.S. 58E will be utilized
- Expect delays and closures along some portions of U.S. 58E due to the installation of a bridge jumping device near State Route 729 in Wheeler, Virginia. The device will allow the load to travel over the bridge without touching the bridge.
- The load will stop for the day Ewing, Virginia.
Highway planners estimate it will take the generator approximately eight hours to travel approximately 12 miles
A map of the entire route is attached to this release.
** MEDIA NOTE: Questions about the movement of the large generator should be directed to Tim Fielder with Barnhart Crane and Rigging Company at 901-270-1226.
For up to date travel information, motorists may dial 5-1-1 from any land line or cell phone or follow TDOT on Twitter. For traffic information in Knoxville and Tri-Cities areas follow @Knoxville511. For statewide travel information follow @TN511.
As always, motorists are encouraged to Know Before You Go! and check traffic conditions before leaving home. Drivers should never text, tweet or use a cell phone when behind the wheel.
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