Wide loads hit the road for wind farm project

MOTORISTS have been advised huge components needed for the construction of the Kaban wind farm at Ravenshoe will be on the move later this month.

Wide loads and their pilot vehicles will be travelling under police escort from Portsmith, along the Bruce Highway, before taking the Palmerston Highway to the site northwest of Ravenshoe.

Police say the wide loads – carrying blades 65m long by 4.3m wide – will depart Portsmith at 3.45am and finish at Kaban anywhere between 8am and 10am.

If on the road when the pilot or police escort vehicle approaches, police say drivers need to slow down and when safe, pull over to the side of the road and wait for the oversized vehicle to pass.

The distance from the first pilot to the first truck will vary, but it’s unlikely to be more than 2km.

If coming upon the convoy from behind, motorists should not overtake until the pilot gives the instruction. Oversize escorts use UHF Channel 40 on CB radio. A $248 fine applies for failing to give way to an oversize vehicle.