The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) is asking drivers to be aware that a large number of “super loads” will soon be making their way through southern and central Ohio.
The first of “nearly two dozen” super loads will begin the journey from the Ohio River to Hebron in Licking County as early as March 6, 2024.
ODOT says that each of the super loads will arrive by barge in Manchester and will then be transported by truck to either New Albany or Hebron.
The truck trip will take eight to fifteen days.
Officials say that some of the super loads are as large as 900,000 pounds, 19 feet wide, 24 feet high, and 270 feet long.
ODOT says that “most, but not all, of the loads are associated with the future Intel semiconductor facilities.”
While there will not be road closures during the super load transports, slow-rolling roadblocks will be implemented with help from the Ohio State Highway Patrol. Drivers should expect “long delays” along the super load routes.
“For months, we have been working in coordination with the Ohio State Highway Patrol and local stakeholders along the route to ensure each move goes as smoothly as possible with minimal impacts to those who live and work in the communities along the route,” said ODOT Director Jack Marchbanks. “We will work to provide as much notice as possible so that drivers can plan ahead and use alternate routes.”
“Moving loads like these is not new for ODOT and our various partners. However, what makes this situation unique is the number of these types of loads arriving in short succession,” said Mike Moreland, administrator of ODOT’s Office of Special Hauling Permits.
See below for detailed information from ODOT on the super load routes.
- From the dock site east of Manchester, it will travel east on U.S. 52 to West Portsmouth.
- At West Portsmouth, cross over into the U.S. 52 westbound lanes just before the junction of the SR 239 on ramp to U.S. 52 westbound.
- Travel north on the SR 239 southbound ramp to SR 73/SR 104
- Travel south in the northbound lanes of SR 73/SR 104 to U.S. 52
- Travel east on U.S. 52 in the westbound lanes to U.S. 23 in Portsmouth
- Travel north on U.S. 23 southbound ramp to U.S. 52 westbound
- Travel north on U.S. 23 in the northbound lanes to the intersection with Kinneys Lane and Argonne Road
- Cross over into the northbound lanes and travel north on U.S. 23 to the Village of Piketon
- In the Village of Piketon cross over into the southbound lanes of U.S. 23 at Market Street to maneuver around the traffic signals then cross back over into the northbound lanes of U.S. 23
- Travel north on U.S. 23 to Chillicothe
- Take U.S. 35 west to SR 104 north
- Take 104 north to SR 762 near Commercial Point
- Travel east on SR 762 to Rickenbacker Parkway
- Travel north on Rickenbacker Parkway North to Alum Creek Drive
- Travel north on Alum Creek Drive to Rohr Road
- Travel east on Rohr Road to Commerce Center Drive
- Travel north on Commerce Center Drive to Green Pointe Drive South
- Travel east on Green Point Drive South to Saltzgaber Road
- Travel south on Saltzgaber Road to SR 317
- Travel north in the Southbound Lanes on SR 317 past Groveport to Bixby Road east
- Travel east on Bixby Road to U.S. 33
- Travel east in the westbound lanes of U.S. 33 to the Gender Road southbound to U.S. 33 westbound ramp in Canal Winchester
- Travel the wrong way on the Gender Road southbound to U.S. 33 westbound ramp
- Take SR 674/Gender Road north to Brice Road
- Take Brice Road north to the intersection with Tussing Road/SR 204 in Columbus
- Travel east on Tussing Road/SR 204 east to SR 310
- Travel north on SR 310 to U.S. 40 in Etna
LOADS TRAVELING TO HEBRON:
- Travel east on U.S. 40 to SR 79 in Hebron
- Travel the wrong way on the SR 79 southbound off ramp to U.S. 40
- Travel north in the southbound lanes on SR 79 to local roads
LOADS TRAVELING TO NEW ALBANY:
- Travel west on U.S. 40 to Etna Parkway
- Travel north on Etna Parkway to SR 16
- Travel east on SR 16 to SR 310
- Travel north on SR 310 to SR 161
- Travel west on SR 161 to local roads