Alberta’s heaviest load crawls through Tofield

On Tuesday afternoon, Jan. 8, Tofield was witness to more than 800-tonne load on the move, as the 100-metre long petrochemical equipment called a splitter moved through town.

The four-day journey started on Sunday, Jan. 6 from Edmonton, and is scheduled to reach its destination – Heartland Petrochemical Complex – just outside Fort Saskatchewan on Wednesday, Jan. 9.

Weighing at 820 tonnes, and measuring up to 100-metres long, the “historic super load” was as heavy as eight blue whales. MOUSH JOHN PHOTO

In an attempt to make this move possible, the Town of Tofield has had to make some temporary road alterations, approved by Alberta Transportation.

“Due to the sheer size of this vessel it is necessary to have temporary alterations made to roadways, intersections etc. along the course of travel for this vessel,” stated Jeff Edwards, assistant CAO earlier in 2018. . . . contd.