Oversize Loads

PODCAST: We're sharing big news about oversize loads

PODCAST: We're sharing big news about oversize loads

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PODCAST: We're sharing big news about oversize loads

PODCAST: We're sharing big news about oversize loads

By Steve Elliott / ADOT Communications
September 22, 2024
Oversize load example -- truck carrying massive transformer

Listen to the podcast! (or use the embed below)

We're sharing big news this week on the podcast. Or is it news about big things?

This On the Road With ADOT episode is about massive transformers, pipes and bridge girders, not to mention water tanks, windmill blades and houseboats of jaw-dropping proportions. And how ADOT permits them to travel through Arizona.

We've invited two experts to discuss what goes into making sure these and other oversize loads get where they need to go safely, with minimal disruption to traffic and in a way that safeguards Arizona's investment in state highways. I've included one example above. 

I hope you'll spend a few minutes listening to Christina Pippin and Cassandra Miller chat with our host, Doug Nintzel. Then you can impress your friends with your ADOT knowledge when you come upon an oversize load. Our work in this area is one more way ADOT empowers Arizona's economy while safely connecting people.

You can subscribe to episodes of On the Road with ADOT through Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You also can find episodes at azdot.gov/Podcast and featured in ADOT Blog posts.

ADOT helping get emergency equipment to Texas after hurricane

ADOT helping get emergency equipment to Texas after hurricane

I-17 101 traffic interchange

ADOT helping get emergency equipment to Texas after hurricane

ADOT helping get emergency equipment to Texas after hurricane

August 30, 2017

PHOENIX ‒ The Arizona Department of Transportation is helping urgently needed equipment reach Texas as quickly as possible by waiving fees and expediting permits so commercial vehicles hauling oversize loads can get there faster.

The effort began over the weekend so trucks hauling eight emergency generators could depart a Caterpillar facility in Phoenix for Fort Hood, Texas, about 200 miles northwest of Houston. The generators will provide power for emergency crews responding to areas flooded and damaged by Hurricane Harvey.

Officials with ADOT’s Enforcement and Compliance Division, which operates commercial ports of entry, checked the weight of the trucks to be sure they could safely cross all bridges on Interstate 10, then contacted ADOT’s commercial vehicle port of entry in San Simon and elsewhere along the route to report that the trucks wouldn’t have the usual permits but should be allowed to continue.

“Arizona is doing everything it can to help the people who are struggling after this hurricane,” ADOT Director John Halikowski said. “As a transportation agency, we can help get equipment there efficiently and safely.”

The process will remain in place for similar transports as long as the presidential disaster declaration remains in place, though ADOT may have to change routes if loads are determined to be too heavy for certain bridges. All restrictions normally applying to oversize loads will remain in place.

ADOT is coordinating with other state departments of transportation to share oversize load requirements and keep shipments moving to Texas as efficiently as possible. 

Two oversize loads will traverse state early Saturday to aid Navajo Nation

Two oversize loads will traverse state early Saturday to aid Navajo Nation

I-17 101 traffic interchange

Two oversize loads will traverse state early Saturday to aid Navajo Nation

Two oversize loads will traverse state early Saturday to aid Navajo Nation

May 27, 2016

PHOENIX – With a large Navajo Nation farming operation facing an emergency due to a broken water pipeline, the Arizona Department of Transportation has arranged for two oversize loads carrying 17-foot-wide pipes to travel through the state from southwest to northeast early Saturday.

While ADOT doesn’t normally allow oversize loads during busy holiday travel weekends, the emergency prompted the agency to issue these permits. The loads will enter Arizona through the San Luis Port of Entry at 3 a.m. Saturday. After a trip lasting approximately eight hours, the trucks and their escort vehicles will enter New Mexico via Interstate 40 on their way to Farmington, New Mexico.

The loads are expected to pass through the Phoenix area on Interstate 10, Loop 101 (Agua Fria) and I-17 early in the morning. They are expected to reach Flagstaff on I-17 before 9 a.m. Saturday.

Drivers should exercise patience when attempting to pass an oversize load and follow the lead of escort vehicles.

The full route includes:

  • State Route 195 from San Luis Port of Entry to Interstate 8 east
  • I-8 east to Gila Bend
  • SR 85 north to I-10 east
  • I-10 east to Loop 101 (Agua Fria)
  • Loop 101 (Agua Fria) to I-17 north
  • I-17 north to I-40, then US 89 north from Country Club exit (milepost 201)
  • US 89 north to Townsend Winona Road
  • Townsend Winona Road to BIA-15 (Leupp Road
  • SR 77 south BIA-6 to I-40 east
  • I-40 east to New Mexico line

For the most current information about highway closures and restrictions statewide, visit ADOT’s Travel Information Site at az511.gov, follow us on Twitter (@ArizonaDOT) or call 511.

Oversized load requires brief closure of eastbound I-10 near Benson early Sunday

Oversized load requires brief closure of eastbound I-10 near Benson early Sunday

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Oversized load requires brief closure of eastbound I-10 near Benson early Sunday

Oversized load requires brief closure of eastbound I-10 near Benson early Sunday

December 4, 2015

An oversized load will require a brief closure of eastbound I-10 near Benson early Sunday (Dec. 6). Motorists are urged to adjust travel plans or allow extra travel time.

OK, so it’s not as massive as the last one we told you about, but at 707,000 pounds, a 227-foot-long truck traveling through Arizona this weekend will require a short closure of eastbound I-10 near Benson early Sunday (Dec. 6).

The closure, expected to last up to 30 minutes, starts at 6 a.m. and is necessary so the truck can travel west on a one-mile section of eastbound I-10 between State Route 80 (exit 303) and State Route 90 (exit 302).

Wondering why a truck needs to go west on an eastbound freeway?

It’s because this truck is so huge. Carrying a transformer from New Mexico to California, the truck and its 18 axels are way too big to navigate the westbound I-10 exit at SR 90 and too heavy to use the bridge on SR 82, which would otherwise provide an alternate route.

What drivers need to know
Arizona State Troopers will stop eastbound I-10 traffic at the SR 90 overpass as well as all SR 90 traffic at I-10. Troopers will escort the oversized load onto eastbound I-10 using the exit ramp at Exit 303 and off the interstate using the entrance ramp at Exit 302.

Westbound traffic will not be affected.

Motorists traveling in the area should also be aware of restrictions at both the eastbound and westbound I-10 bridges over the San Pedro River at milepost 306 in Benson. In addition, westbound traffic along I-10 will be narrowed to one lane due to an ongoing bridge replacement project at Davidson Canyon at milepost 285, approximately 20 miles east of Tucson.

As always, you can stay up to date with the latest highway conditions around the state by visiting the ADOT Traveler Information Center at az511.gov or by calling 511.

If you’re interested in learning how ADOT ensures these enormous loads can safely travel a route without damaging infrastructure, be sure to check out our previous posts on the subject.

1.8 million-pound oversize load set to move through Arizona

1.8 million-pound oversize load set to move through Arizona

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1.8 million-pound oversize load set to move through Arizona

1.8 million-pound oversize load set to move through Arizona

October 28, 2015

The oversize load is 412 feet long, 26 feet wide and 19 feet 3 inches tall.

What weighs 1.8 million pounds, measures 412 feet long and moves at about 12 miles per hour?

If you guessed the oversize load making its way through Arizona this week, you are correct!

A really big transformer will be entering the state on Friday (Oct. 30) at the Arizona/New Mexico state line on US 64 and will travel (slowly) west to US 160 before heading north on BIA-12 (formerly US 191) into Utah on Saturday. The Arizona portion of its trip is just less than 50 miles and is taking place in the very far northeast corner of the state. When it is here, it’ll be traveling only during daylight hours and will stage overnight at a pull off just east of the US 191/US 160 junction.

ADOT Transportation Engineer Permit Tech Chris Pippin says this isn’t the biggest load to ever travel in Arizona, but “it is one of the heaviest transformers that have been moved on our state highways.”

blog-2015-1028-permit2

A view of the 1.8 million-pound transformer that's being transported through Arizona this week.

If you’re planning a trip in that direction, don’t worry too much about getting stuck behind the slow-moving trailer. Four law enforcement escorts will be accompanying the load and will perform traffic breaks and other maneuvers when necessary to keep traffic flowing.

In case you’re curious, this transformer (along with another similar one that’s scheduled to move through Arizona Nov. 14-15) has had a long journey. According to the transporting company, the transformers traveled by ship from China to Houston. Next, they were taken by train to New Mexico, where they were picked up by the transporting company for the final leg of the trek.

More about Class C permitting
Loads that are either in excess of 250,000 pounds, measure more than 120 feet in length, 16 feet in height or 14 feet in width fall under the Class C category.

When it comes to these super-sized loads, it is necessary for haulers to obtain a Class C permit from ADOT to ensure safety on the state’s roads.

When a transporting company applies for a Class C permit, they must provide details to ADOT including the travel routes they plan to take and information on how many trailer axels will be used to spread the weight.

All of the facts are thoroughly reviewed by ADOT in order to make sure a load can safely make it along its route. ADOT’s Class C permitting team communicates with various ADOT district engineers to make sure current road conditions and construction projects are accounted for in the final route. If the route involves a bridge, ADOT’s bridge engineers make sure the bridge can handle the load and that the infrastructure won’t be damaged.

By the way, the 1,834,000 pound transformer moving through the state this week won’t be the only oversized load out on the roads. Class C permits are issued fairly frequently and you can learn more about them by checking out this video and this previous post.

520-ton oversize load slowly makes its way through state

520-ton oversize load slowly makes its way through state

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520-ton oversize load slowly makes its way through state

520-ton oversize load slowly makes its way through state

March 27, 2014

This oversize load weighs about 520 tons!

What travels 10 mph, measures nearly 17 feet tall and weighs in at roughly 520 tons?

If you guessed the 1,040,500-pound oversize load currently making its way through our state, you are correct!

This majorly massive load crossed from New Mexico into Arizona on March 18. The haul consists of one (very big) transformer that’s being moved (very slowly) to its final destination in Yuma.

Besides being tall, heavy and slow, it’s also 20-feet-wide and 305-feet-long.

But enough about size – what we find really interesting is how oversize loads like this one move at all.

Moving big loads is no small effort

You might remember we blogged this topic in 2011 when a 285-ton anode traveled from Salt Lake City to the mining town of Miami, east of Phoenix.

2014-0327-transformer_route

The transformer traveling through Arizona is taking the long way to Yuma in order to avoid major highways and interstates.

In that post, we explained that the hauler for oversize/overweight loads must apply for a Class C permit to drive on Arizona highways.

The permit applications ask the hauler to specify travel routes along with more technical stuff – like how many trailer axles will be used to spread the weight (the transformer is being supported by 25 axles).

Transportation Engineering Permit Tech Chris Pippin explains that ADOT’s role includes making sure that the roads can handle the heavy loads.

“It’s about making sure the infrastructure doesn’t get damaged along the route,” she said.

Route considerations

Because of its size and slow speed, the transformer is, for the most part, avoiding major freeways and interstates. The route mainly includes secondary highways. It’s also only allowed to travel at night to avoid daytime traffic. Another condition of this move requires front and rear escorts (pilot cars) along with four DPS officers on the entire route.

There’s one more thing to note about the transformer’s route…

It had to travel on I-10 for just a small portion of the trip near Benson. The interesting thing about the short trek is that because of its size, it headed west on the eastbound lanes. That happened on Sunday, March 23 and required a closure of the road.

For more about oversized loads, check out our previous video and blog posts.

Oversize load safely crosses bridge, makes it to destination on time

Oversize load safely crosses bridge, makes it to destination on time

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Oversize load safely crosses bridge, makes it to destination on time

Oversize load safely crosses bridge, makes it to destination on time

August 22, 2011

Now that you know a little about the ADOT permitting process involved with moving oversize loads, take a look at the latest heavy haul to cross Arizona’s highways.

The video above shows just a portion of the journey this 285-ton load took beginning the first week of August.

The giant anode, which is used in the electrical process for refining copper, traveled 380 miles from its start in Salt Lake City all the way to the mining town of Miami, east of Phoenix. At 225-feet long, 20-feet wide and about 19-feet high, this oversize load was the largest to cross the new Hoover Dam Bypass Bridge ... so far!

The video shows the anode as it cautiously makes its way along SR 188 across the Theodore Roosevelt Lake Bridge. Just a few hours later and after a lot of coordination, careful planning and 14 days of slow travel (the top speed uphill was just 15 mph), the heavy load made it to its destination on schedule to the Freeport-McMohan mine in Miami!

Moving oversize loads requires big effort

Moving oversize loads requires big effort

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Moving oversize loads requires big effort

Moving oversize loads requires big effort

August 9, 2011

This anode is making its way through Arizona Aug. 9-16. The oversize load is roughly 225-feet long, 20-feet wide, 19-feet high and weighs 285 tons. Check out our Facebook page for more photos, courtesy of Precision Heavy Haul, Inc.

When it comes to describing some hauls, the term “oversize load” is a major understatement.

We’re talking about the enormous “super-loads” driven through the state each day. Maybe you’ve seen them on the freeways … they’re the trucks lugging gigantic transformers, generators, turbines, and even houseboats.

Moving these mammoth objects requires acts almost as big the loads themselves. Coordinating these moves takes massive amounts of work and cooperation, and because they travel on state roads, highways and freeways, ADOT is involved from the very start of the trek.

Before they can hit the road, the hauler for each oversize/overweight load has to apply for a permit to drive on Arizona highways. These “super-loads” often fall into the Class C category, defined by loads that are either in excess of 250,000 pounds, measure more than 120 feet in length, 16 feet in height or 14 feet in width.

The permit applications ask the hauler to specify travel routes along with the more technical stuff – like how many trailer axles will be used to spread the weight.

All this is thoroughly reviewed by ADOT’s Merlinda Chavez and Chris Pippin. All Class C permit applications in Arizona go through them. (They’ve got quite a workload – in June alone, they issued 538 Class C permits!) They analyze all the specs and make sure a load can safely make it along its route. They also communicate with various ADOT district engineers to make sure current road conditions and construction projects are accounted for in the final route.

“There is a lot that goes into oversize loads,” Pippin said. “But, the No. 1 thing this department is all about is safety.”

If the proposed route involves moving structures like traffic signals or power lines, those details must be worked out before a permit is issued. If the route involves a bridge, ADOT’s bridge engineers make sure the bridge can handle the load and that the infrastructure won’t be damaged.

Once a permit is issued it comes with a Class C Approval, which is basically an instruction sheet that includes guidelines the hauler must adhere to. These instructions list things like hours the load can travel (the majority of Class C loads must travel during daylight hours) and whether or not law enforcement escorts will be necessary.

The approval also lists the other municipalities that the load will be traveling through. It is the hauler’s responsibility to coordinate with these cities, towns and counties. ADOT only issues permits for the state’s highway system.

Many Arizonans are getting the chance to see the end result of this permitting process. Right now a giant 285-ton anode (it’s used in the electrical process for refining copper) is making its way from Nevada all the way to Miami, Ariz. It’s a notable move because this is the largest oversized load to cross the new Hoover Dam Bypass Bridge .

Pippin and Chavez both agree that coordination between their office, the hauler, district engineers, traffic engineers, maintenance engineers, the Arizona Department of Public Safety and ADOT’s Enforcement and Compliance Department is what makes these oversize moves possible.

“You can move just about anything on the state highways, as long as you’ve got a permit,” Pippin said.