Megaload shipment continues trek through Idaho

SANDPOINT — The megaload shipment is taking a night off to allow for U.S. 95 construction work before continuing its northbound journey.

Due to culvert construction along the highway, the megaload is delaying the night’s travel arrangements until work can conclude. However, according to Idaho Transportation Department public involvement coordinator Adam Rush, the decision shouldn’t have a major impact on the megaload shipment’s timetable. The shipment is still expected to reach Coeur d’Alene at some time Thursday morning before continuing into Sandpoint between Thursday night and Friday morning.

In addition, ITD officials confirmed a more detailed route as the megaload passes through Bonner County. Once the megaload reaches Sandpoint by traveling across the two-mile Long Bridge, Rush said it would not enter town but instead use the Sand Creek Byway to avoid downtown Sandpoint and continue to Highway 200. In addition, the shipment will not use the Bridge To Nowhere, instead driving through Hope to avoid the piece of infrastructure. Rush said the megaload, which weighs up to 1,086,000 pounds when supported by additional trucks for uphill movement and 926,000 pounds on its own, is carefully engineered to minimize wear and tear on state infrastructure.

“There are enough tires and axles to safely and evenly distribute the weight,” Rush said.

According to Rush, the megaload shipment is expected to reach somewhere near milepost 447 around the Athol area by the end of the transportation period Thursday morning. Continuing onward following its late night and early morning permitted travel schedule, the shipment should end Friday morning somewhere near milepost 44 on Highway 200.

Drivers encountering the megaload shipment should expect delays on the road. While the accompanying fleet of pilot vehicles and Idaho State Police troopers will help alert the shipment vehicle of oncoming traffic and potential spots to pull over, allowing for backed up cars to pass, there will still likely be an average of 15 minutes in delays.

Meanwhile, local efforts among opponents to the shipment to organize a protest continue to move forward. A petition to stay the permit granted to shippers Bigge Crane didn’t prevent the megaload from moving out on schedule Sunday night. Local advocate Jane Fritz is working with environmental organization Wild Idaho Rising Tide to stage a demonstration. According to the WIRT website, a community meeting regarding the issue is set for Sandpoint Library rooms 103 and 104 at 5 p.m. Thursday. The group plans to meet at the Conoco gas station near the Long Bridge when the megaload shipment arrives.