Massive Vehicle Will Clog Up I-15

A massive piece of machinery will be traveling southbound on I-15 starting midnight Saturday, clogging up both lanes of traffic and going as slow as 5 miles an hour.

The 340 ton autoclave was built by Eaton Metal in Pocatello over the last 2 years.

Now the gargantuan pressure vessel is finished and has to make its way down to Salt Lake City and the Kennecott Copper Mine.

“I think everybody in Pocatello should be proud that there’s a facility like ours that’s building massive products like this and made in the USA,? Eaton Metal Products Plant Manager Wayne Nelson said.

The only way to get the behemoth to it’s home in Salt Lake is with a massive trailer. It will take up both lanes of traffic and stretch 400 feet on the road.

Of course, it is far too big for just a single truck to handle. As one pulls from the front, two others will push from the back.

But even with 2,000 horsepower working to move the 230 wheeled trailer, it’s not getting anywhere fast.

“Top speed will be about 20 miles an hour. It will take us eight days to make the journey,? Intermountain Rigging Project Manager Mark Lavery said.

And when going up hill, they’re looking at more like five miles an hour.

Those in charge of the journey said they’ll try to be considerate to other drivers on the road.

“Be patient. We’ll go for a little ways, and then we’ll stop and let traffic around. We won’t hold them very long,? Lavery said.

“Most of the driving will be done at night. So they won’t plug up the freeways and whatnot,? Nelson said.

Drivers should also be able to pass the convoy at every underpass. The autoclave is too tall to fit under the bridges, so the trailer has to take every exit.