Megaloads Move to Pasco

RICHLAND, Washington – If the weather holds, the last megaloads stranded at the Port of Lewiston will head out Tuesday toward Canada’s oil sands.  These oversized truckloads of oil processing machinery have been very controversial.  Now oil companies have switched to shipping smaller loads out of the Port of Pasco.

Read more and listen: Last Megaloads Depart From Lewiston This Week

(By Tom Banse, Northwest Public Radio)

(Link provided by Cass Davis)

Megaloads are currently held in a Wallace parking lot, and recent snowy weather will impact how quickly they can be transported from the Silver Valley (Shoshone News Press/Kelsey Saintz photo).

WALLACE — Megaloads will rest in a parking lot across from the Wallace visitors’ center for about four more months, depending on weather, said Mayor Dick Vester.

“It’s a welcome, positive economic impact across the valley,” he said, because drivers and crews are having to stay and utilize local resources. “That’s been a help to some of the businesses, restaurants, and hotels.”

During a special city council meeting December 1, members unanimously gave Vester the authority to enter into a contract with Mammoet Canada Western, a company specializing in heavy lifting and transport, to use the space for megaload parking and maintenance. Continue reading →

Lot across from Wallace visitor center could be staging area

WALLACE — The city is discussing the idea of a megaload staging area that would be set up in the parking lot across from the visitors’ center.

During a special city council meeting Thursday, members unanimously gave Mayor Dick Vester the authority to enter into a contract to use the space for megaload parking and maintenance for six months. Continue reading →

(The Spokesman-Review/Kimberly Lusk image)

Unclear if 250 oversize loads are bound for Alberta oil project

A series of superloads coming through Spokane will travel down a portion of Third Avenue during the next several months because they don’t fit under a bridge over Interstate 90.

Residents along the affected stretch of Third received notices Oct. 11 from the city of Spokane Neighborhoods Services stating the loads would exit I-90 at Altamont Street and travel down Third for several blocks because they are too big to fit under the nearby pedestrian bridge. They will re-enter the interstate at Rebecca Street.

Read more: Superloads Will Divert to Third Avenue

(By Chelsea Bannach, The Spokesman-Review)

Video: Deadly Spider Infestation at Port of Pasco Site

PASCO — A potentially deadly spider infestation at the Port of Pasco is affecting the massive loads in storage there.

The state says 20 workers called the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries to report the problem.  KIEWIT is managing the project and had to shut it down for now after people saw brown recluse, black widows, and spiders that aren’t even on this poster.

An exterminator was called in and is investigating how to get rid of the spiders.  The infestation may include spiders that aren’t native to the U.S., since the megaloads came here from Korea.

(By Melanie Tubbs, KEPR TV, Pasco, Washington)

COEUR d’ALENE - En route to northern Alberta, two “megaload” tractor-trailers will soon be passing through Coeur d’Alene.

And despite assurances from oil company spokesmen, local environmentalists are concerned about accidents and delays.

On Friday, the Idaho Transportation Department issued a pair of oversized-load permits that will allow Imperial Oil/ExxonMobil to transport large oil equipment on U.S. Highway 95 and Interstate 90. Continue reading →