Transport of vital power transmission equipment 22′ wide
| You may want to alter your plans if you are traveling I-89 south between Milton and Berlin late Saturday night or early Sunday morning. An oversized, ‘wide load’ transport will have an average speed of 10-15 MPH and will occupy both lanes of travel. “[V]ehicles will be unable to pass during these times.” There will be some interruptions to northbound travel as well on Sunday morning between Randolph and Berlin. The Vermont Agency of Transportation confirmed this morning the load is a power grid transformer. Secretary Joe Flynn also provided the startling weight and dimensions (apparently including transformer and transport): – Weight – 966,500 lbs. – Width – 22’ 3” – Height – 16’ 10” – Length – 243’ Transformers reduce the voltage from hi-voltage transmission lines from Hydro-Quebec and other out-of-state generators. The reduced-voltage power is then distributed on lower-voltage lines, eventually reaching customers. Transformers are considered a potential weak point in the USA power transmission grid, due to their growing scarcity, non-domestic manufacture, and targeting for physical and cyber attacks. As reported in today’s Journal-Opinion, the full announcement from VTrans appears below:  |
