The ‘super load’ hauling a massive dryer across nine counties toward Lock Haven is expected to begin moving through Centre County on Saturday, bringing some traffic disruptions with it.
The 217-foot-long transport vehicle — which is carrying a Yankee dryer used in tissue production — is currently stopped for the day on Friday in Bigler, Clearfield County and will resume its journey at 7 a.m. on Saturday, according to PennDOT. Traveling along Route 322 eastbound, it is expected to reach Philipsburg between 9 and 10 a.m.
Drivers in the Philipsburg area are advised to use alternate routes because of the slow-moving operation. The 20-foot wide, 20-foot high and 628,000 super load travels at less than 15 miles per hour.
After leaving Philipsburg, it will travel eastbound on Route 322 West, down Port Matilda Mountain. Westbound lanes will be closed during that time, according to PennDOT.
At Blazosky Road, it will cross over to 322 East, then travel a short distance before exiting to North High Street and Alt Route 220. From there it will head toward Milesburg, where PennDOT expects the super load will enter Interstate 80 on Sunday.
The Yankee dryer, a pressure vessel used to remove excess moisture from pulp before paper production, is expected to reach its destination at First Quality Tissue in Lock Haven early next week.
Manufactured in Finland, the Yankee dryer left from the Port of Erie on Dec. 5 to start its more than 300-mile trip. The hauler has traveled during daylight hours and has been slowed a bit by weather and a mechanical issue. The size and slow speed meant it could not use Interstates for the much of the route.
The super load has been escorted by state police and flaggers are positioned at specific locations and intersections along the route to assist with traffic control during counterflow movements.
