LIBERTY, Mo. -- The 240 ton transformer has reached its destination at the Nashua Substation near Smithville, Mo. By all accounts the planning and preparation paid off with a smooth move from Liberty to its final location.
As of early Friday morning, I-435 had a lane closed in each direction between Woodland and 169 Hwy. Crews were cleaning up the third of three temporary median crossovers. Interstate 435 on the north side of the interstate was expected to fully reopen by 7 a.m.
Kansas City Power & Light said the new transformer will provide power to Kansas City customers. It was shipped by train from Mexico to Liberty, where it had been waiting for about two weeks.
The truck that hauled the transformer had 36 axles, intended to distribute the massive weight of the transformer. The transport vehicle was actually two trucks; one pushed the weight while the other pulled it. To put that into perspective, according to The Truckers Report, an average 18-wheeler semi has five axles and weighs 80,000 pounds itself.
Transformer
Because of the transformer's massive weight and size, the vehicle was not allowed to go over bridges. Crews had to navigate around overhead signs and overpasses. Watch the video below, as FOX 4's Rob Collins tracked the transformer's progress.
The transformer was moved by Edwards Moving and Rigging.
Earlier coverage
Cindy Woods
This is a GREAT connect for science teachers who cover the curriculum of “Force, Work, and Mechanical Energy.” I cannot WAIT to see the coverage you have for this so we can share it with the middle school students at our Northland middle school.
David Messplay
Was it made in Mexico? Why can’t we make it here in America?
jane
Can you double check the road closers? I35 doesnt run between 169 and 152 highways. according to the map they are utilizing 291 hwy but that is not mentioned anywhere in the report???
btljooz
Actually, I-35 runs between 152 and 291. Look at the map!
btljooz
I would like to know how they get by with closing FEDERAL INTERSTATES for that length of time. I don’t care if it is at night, a LOT of truckers drive at night and that is going to interfere with them in a BIG way. Remember, if you have it, a trucker got it there! ….even your landscaping and lawn.
B.
Settle down there Captain Trucker…they close them to keep the general public safe, mainly from themselves.
10-4 good buddy
Truckers need to shower once in awhile…..just saying.
Bob
Of course we can make it here. At greater expense than making it in Mexico and paying for the shipping. This is globalization at work.