One of the biggest convoys to hit the road in New Zealand set off for Huntly last night and motorists on State Highway 1 are being asked to be patient while it travels at a sedate 7 km/h.
A giant power transformer, destined for the Huntly Power Station, was loaded by crane at Bledisloe Wharf, Auckland, on to a cradle attached to four Mack trucks.
It will take four days to reach its destination.
Each truck has 525 horsepower; the transformer weighs 190 tonnes; the convoy is more than 100m in length, and there will be just millimetres of room to spare when it travels over the Waipa Bridge.
Les Everson, of Owens Heavy Haul, who is in charge of the operation, says motorists are asked to be patient but will have the opportunity to pass.
"We'll have guys with radios and we'll be able to wave people through," he said.
Travellers on the Ngaruawahia to Huntly back road are asked to use State Highway 1 on Thursday morning, and Riverview Rd to Huntly Power Station is likely to be closed on Thursday until early afternoon.
Huntly Power Station has been operating on three units since last year's transformer failure which put a quarter of the plant's 1000MW capacity out of commission.
Patience, please - giant convoy on the road
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