[Vision2020] Revised Megaload Date Expected This Week

[Tom Hansen]

Courtesy of today's (July 27, 2011) Moscow-Pullman Daily News.

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Revised megaload date expected this week
Imperial Oil spokesman says technical issues being addressed

A spokesman for Imperial Oil says a new schedule for transporting an oil refinery module up U.S. Highway 95 and Interstate 90 is expected to be submitted to the Idaho Department of Transportation later this week.

Pius Rolheiser said the overlegal load - granted a five-day travel permit starting July 15 - has been stalled over technical issues related to the semitrailer configuration.

Unlike a smaller shipment Imperial Oil/ExxonMobil transport contractor Mammoet moved up U.S. 95 on July 15, the 23-foot-wide, 208-foot-long, 13 1/2-foot-tall module will use a hydraulic trailer.

"With a hydraulic trailer, each set of wheels - each axle - has its own hydraulic system - has its own braking system," Rolheiser said. "It's much more suitable for the wider loads. We are still working with ITD and hope to submit an application with some revised dates at the end of this week."

Imperial Oil/ExxonMobil's transportation plan approved in June calls for the transport of up to 66 oversized loads from the Port of Lewiston through U.S. 95 and I-90 to Alberta for the oil company's tar sands project.

Use of the oil company's primary route through U.S. Highway 12 has been delayed for months by litigation in both Idaho and Montana, and prompted the idea for the alternative route.

A district court judge in Montana granted a preliminary injunction against the state's transportation department and the oil company last week at the request of Missoula County and three conservation groups.

Judge Ray Dayton determined the transportation department approved a subpar environmental assessment in determining its approval of 200-plus Imperial Oil/ExxonMobil oversized shipments up U.S. 12.

The court decision has no affect over travel on interstates, however, but Rolheiser said a permit from the Montana Department of Transportation will not be sought until a permit is granted in Idaho.

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And suppose, after ITD grants another permit, Montana says "No"?  Transport the megaloads into Canada via US95?  I really don't think that Sandpoint or Bonners Ferry would accept such a proposal with open arms.

Seeya round town, Moscow.

Tom Hansen
Moscow, Idaho
 
"The Pessimist complains about the wind, the Optimist expects it to change and the Realist adjusts his sails."

- Unknown

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