The traffic signal arm beside Len's Pharmacy in John Day is swung to the side in preparation for the arrival of the 357,000-pound oversized load onto Main Street on Tuesday, June 20, 2023. ODOT expects more than 170 large loads to pass through John Day by 2027.

JOHN DAY — A large load of freight being slowly transported over the roads of Eastern Oregon made its way through John Day on Tuesday, June 20, temporarily shutting down traffic on Main Street in the process.

The cargo, described only as “boiler equipment” by the Oregon Department of Transportation, was parked just outside Mt. Vernon on the morning of June 20 in preparation for the trek through John Day. Crews worked to raise and lower power lines and temporarily move the traffic light at Main Street and Canyon Boulevard (Highway 395) to get ready for the arrival of the 357,000-pound load that night.

Moving the boiler equipment through John Day was an “all hands on deck” affair for Scappoose outfit Oxbo Mega Transport Solutions, which is tasked with moving the load through Eastern Oregon to its ultimate destination. The load arrived on Main Street in downtown John Day just after 11:30 p.m. before moving through Canyon City and ending travel for the day.

The cargo began the land leg of its journey at the Port of Umatilla on the Columbia River and was slated to snake its way through through Umatilla, Grant, Harney and Malheur counties before exiting into Idaho just north of Jordan Valley. Because of the size and slow travel speed of the cargo, it travels only during nighttime hours to reduce impact on other highway users.

The load itself measures 44 feet long or roughly twice the length of a midsized private jet. The combined size of the transport trailer and push/pull vehicles moving the load is 217 feet long, 23½ feet wide and 26½ feet tall. The trailer has 112 wheels — eight per axle — to spread out the cargo’s massive weight.

The load travels at a speed of no more than 25 miles per hour and is parked and cordoned off with traffic cones during daytime hours.

The load contains no hazardous materials, fuels or liquids, according to ODOT.

Traffic impact data in relation to moving the more than 175-ton load will be posted on tripcheck.com while the cargo moves along Oregon highways. Additional information can be found on ODOT’s Region 5 website at https://tinyurl.com/4p7594br.