GDOT: Mega Load Set To Move Today

Drivers on a number of northeast Georgia highways will need to be on the lookout for a large load traveling through the region today.

The Georgia Department of Transportation says a “mega load” will be making its way through northeast Georgia today.

According to DOT Spokesperson Katie Strickland, the “mega load” is a 16-foot wide tractor trailer with over 430,000 pounds of grand total weight and 14 axles.

She said after traveling into the area last week and parking in place for the New Year’s holiday, it will re-start its journey at about 9 a.m. today out of Lavonia.

“They are headed to Buford from Lavonia,” said Strickland. “They are going to have Georgia State Patrol with their blue lights flashing, escorting the ‘mega load.’ It will be going 50 miles per hour. It will be going through several northeast Georgia counties; Barrow, Banks, Jackson, and Hall counties. What is on board is a metal press. It is used to stamp out automotive parts and there is a parts maker in Buford, Georgia, off of State Route 347, in the Buford-Flowery Branch area.”

Strickland went on to say that the “mega load” could impact morning and mid-afternoon traffic along its way from Lavonia to Buford, though steps will be taken to keep that impact as low as possible.

“They will try to exit the highway when they can and use ramps when there are bridges that they cannot go underneath,” said Strickland. “They will also do that if they see that traffic is getting really congested. I actually spoke to the person that owns the company. He said they were going to do their best to keep it at 50 miles per hour and to keep congestion down.”

The tractor trailer will use the following State Routes (SR) to travel from Lavonia to Buford:
• SR 63 west
• SR 63/59 south
• SR 164 west
• US-441/SR 15
• Interstate 85 south
• SR 20
• Interstate 985 north
• SR 347