The third ConocoPhillips megaload is scheduled to leave Lewiston on Saturday and head across U.S. Highway 12 en route to Billings, Mont., the Idaho Transportation Department announced today. This comes as an Imperial Oil/ExxonMobil megaload remains parked 5 miles this side of the Montana border, awaiting better weather to travel. ConocoPhillips got approval from the state for four giant loads of refinery equipment; it's already sent two of those. Exxon is in the midst of a contested case hearing over its request for more than 200 more giant loads; the one permit it's received is for its "test validation module," a test version of its megaloads that's been stalled on the route for the past two weeks. Click below to read ITD's full news release.
 

April 29, 2011

Contact:
Adam Rush
Public Involvement Coordinator
(208) 334-8119


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Third ConocoPhillips equipment shipment scheduled to leave Lewiston Saturday

LEWISTON - The third of four oversized ConocoPhillips loads is scheduled to leave the Port of Lewiston Saturday night (April 30) and travel east on U.S. 12 toward Montana, the Idaho Transportation Department announced.

The shipment is expected to take six nights -- weather and highway conditions permitting -- to travel from the port to a pullout about seven miles east of the Idaho/Montana state line. It will travel between 10 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. each night.

Following are tentative locations where the shipment will start and stop each night:

* First night: Port of Lewiston to milepost 38.8

* Second night: Milepost 38.8 to milepost 74 (Kooskia)

* Third night: Milepost 74 to milepost 106

* Fourth night: Milepost 106 to milepost 139

* Fifth night: Milepost 139 to milepost 169

* Sixth night: Milepost 169 into Montana

The equipment is destined for a refinery in Billings, Mont. Two ConocoPhillips shipments safely made the trip earlier this year. There are a total of four loads.

Off-duty troopers from the Idaho State Police, along with Idaho Transportation Department crews, will accompany the shipments to ensure safe travel and minimize impacts to motorists. Emergency medical personnel and pilot vehicles also accompany the loads.

ConocoPhillips established a toll-free information line, updated daily at noon, for reports on the shipment. The number is (866) 535-0138. Motorists also can check ITD's website, itd.idaho.gov, the state's traveler services website, 511.idaho.gov, or dial 5-1-1 for information.
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