Something that normally takes weeks to plan took only days. That’s clearing red tape in order to aid in an emergency. The crisis is the aftermath of Japan’s earthquake and tsunami.
The Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT) has approved super-heavy permits to haul electric transformers from Sweetwater through the Brazos Valley to Houston for shipping.
Three rigs, each 20 feet wide and almost 200 feet long, are each hauling loads weighing more than 400,000 pounds.
TXDOT initially reported the rigs will be in the Bryan district Tuesday afternoon or early evening. Late word from the highway department is that the rigs haven’t left Sweetwater.
The route the semis are taking in the Bryan district begins in Milam County on FM 2027 south, to FM 979 southwest, entering Robertson County on FM 485 to FM 1664 south, to US 79 northeast, to Hearne, to FM 50 south into Brazos County on SH 21 southwest, into Burleson County by FM 50 south, into Washington County at Independence, to FM 390 east and south, to SH 105 northeast, into Grimes County in Navastoa, to FM 379 south, to FM 1227 south and east, to SH 6 north, to FM 2988 east, to FM 362 north, into SH 105 east, into the Houston District.