…Road closures and other controls expected to accommodate ultra-abnormal load
Road users along the route being used by the 224 metric tons abnormal load have been advised to expect temporary traffic management measures, including possible road closures and controlled traffic flow, the Road Development Agency ((RDA) has announced.
In a statement yesterday, RDA Chief Communications and Corporate Affairs Manager Anthony Mulowa said the route in Zambia would begin at Katima Mulilo border through Sesheke in Western Province, to Livingstone, Zimba, Choma, Kalomo, Monze, and Mazabuka in Southern Province.
The load—a Cold Box Unit—will continue through the Lusaka CBD bypass into Central Province (Kabwe and Kapiri), to Ndola and Kitwe in the Copperbelt, and finally Solwezi, its destination.
“The Cold Box Unit will arrive at its final destination at Solwezi’s Kansanshi Mine. This route has been strategically selected to mitigate risks associated with road infrastructure and ensure the safest passage for this oversized cargo,” stated Mulowa.
He advises that the convoy would adhere to the scheduled times to avoid peak traffic hours and that measures would be put in place to reduce the negative impact on daily traffic flow.
The abnormal load has captivated interest since it started snaking its way to Zambia from Walvis Bay in Namibia on October 16 with people capturing its progress along the route on video and sharing updates nearly every day.
The Cold Box Unit, destined for Kansanshi mine in Solwezi, is 64 meters long, 5.7 meters wide, and 7.2 meters high. It weighs 154 metric tons. With the two truck horses and self-steering axles added, the gross weight increases to 224 tons.
“To accommodate this abnormal load, extensive planning, and special transit arrangements have been implemented in coordination with the Zambia Police Service and Local Authorities to ensure the safety of other road users and minimize disruptions to traffic flow along the route,” Mulowa said.
The load, which entered Zambia on Monday, has an estimated travel time of 15 to 20 days moving at a speed of between 18 and 20 kilometers per hour.
A cold box is an important component in gas separation plants for many industrial applications.
Video Credit: ZNBC
