‘Super heavy’ load to cause traffic delays in Edmonton area, northeast Alberta on Sunday and Monday

A large, slow moving load will make its way from south Edmonton to Fort Saskatchewan beginning Sunday night.

A specialized pressure vessel will be moving east from Edmonton to Fort Saskatchewan this weekend and is anticipated to cause delays in traffic as it makes its journey.

The trailers transporting the vessel will be going a maximum speed of 40 km/h as it has been dubbed a “super heavy load” in a news release by the province, weighing in at 485,263 kg including support equipment.

The load will move with guide vehicles, below posted speed limits and use up the entire width of the highway including the shoulder.

The vessel is a reactor that facilitates chemical reactions which convert raw materials into gasoline and diesel. It’s 8.7 metres wide, 9.9 metres high and 65 metres long.

Route from Edmonton to Fort Saskatchewan

The load is set to leave Dacro Industries in Edmonton at 10 p.m. Sunday..

It will exit from 9325 51 Ave., continue east along 51 Avenue, then travel along Roper Road southbound, 75 Street southbound and east on Whitemud Drive before hitting Highway 216.

It will end its first trip along Highway 14 eastbound and stop at 4 a.m. on Highway 14 and Highway 21 to be staged for the night.

On Monday at 8:30 a.m., the load will continue along Highway 14 and then travel north on Highway 834 and west on Highway 15. It will finish its trip along Range Road 221 before getting to the Dow petrochemical site in Fort Saskatchewan at 4 p.m.

Drivers who need up-to-date information on current traffic delays can call 511 or visit the Alberta 511 website or mobile app.