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EDMONTON — Beginning today (Jan. 7) a massive load will begin to travel to Fort McMurray, impacting traffic as it goes.

According to a release from the provincial government, due to its large size and weight, this load will travel at a maximum speed of 60 km/h. It will move with pilot/guide vehicles, below posted speed limits using the entire width of the highway including the shoulder.

What’s more, it will also occasionally travel against the flow of traffic with lanes blocked off accordingly.

The load being transported is a coker drum used in the oil refining process. The vertical pressure vessels are made of thick steel to withstand high heat and pressure. The drum itself is 8.7 metres wide, 10.2 metres high and 47 metres long and the weight of the unit is 444,144 kilograms.

The trailer carrying the unit has 192 wheels.

Drivers are being advised to watch for guide vehicles and flag people as the load will be escorted by four vehicles to close intersections and facilitate its move. At times, it will also have a police escort.

The load will leave Dacro Industries Inc. in south Edmonton using the following route:

Jan. 7 (Early Morning Move)

• Exit from 9325 51 Avenue, Edmonton
• 51 Avenue eastbound
• 75 Street southbound
• Whitemud Counterflow eastbound
• Highway 216 southbound counterflow
• Highway 14 eastbound (Stage at 14/21 until daylight)

Jan. 7 (Day Move)

• Highway 14 eastbound
• Highway 36 northbound
• Highway 45 eastbound (park at Two Hills Scale)

Day 2 Jan 8 (Day Move)

• Highway 45 eastbound
• Highway 36 northbound
• Highway 29 eastbound
• Highway 36 northbound
• Highway 28 westbound
• Highway 63 northbound (park at Boyle)

Day 3 January 9 (Day Move)

• Highway 63 northbound
• Highway 55 eastbound
• Highway 63 northbound (park at POE staging area)

Day 4 Jan. 10 (Early Morning Move)

• Highway 63 northbound
• Use ramps in Fort McMurray to avoid overpasses
• Highway 63 northbound (use Suncor Ramp to miss overpass)