Last night, a convoy of three prime movers, five pilot vehicles and two police vehicles successfully transported a 200-tonne oversize and overmass (OSOM) power transformer to Lake Macquarie.
Facilitated by heavy and over-dimensional haulage specialists Over Dimensional Lift & Shift (ODLS), the convoy left the Port of Newcastle at 8pm on Thursday July 4, as scheduled, arriving at Hexham by 8.30pm, before continuing its journey to Eraring Power Station under standard permit conditions.
For the move, one of the prime movers was a the front, with the other two at the back, and the transformer loaded onto a 70 metre, 87 tonne combination trailer.
ODLS revealed this was one of two transformers it is delivering to the Lake Macquarie site, with both of these to be used side by side as part of a renewable project. The second transformer is due to arrive at the port in coming weeks.
Based in Dandenong South, ODLS facilitates OSOM moves right across the country, with five prime movers dedicated to these types of heavier moves.
ODLS currently moves hundreds of transformers each year. “The work has been continuous, with numerous moves over 200 tonne. It’s becoming a lot more standard, with all the renewable projects becoming a lot more common,” said a spokesperson for the company.
The move was coordinated with the assistance of Transport for NSW. A spokesperson said: “The safety of the community, motorists and OSOM operators is Transport’s top priority, and teams work to ensure road lane widths are appropriate and adjust work programs as required to facilitate the OSOM movement and keep the road network running smoothly.”