Transporting the 378,000 pound CapX2020 Briggs Road Transformer almost 7 mi from a rail siding didn’t require a driver, at least not one behind the wheel. Rosemount based Vic’s Crane & Heavy Haul, Inc. used a 14-axle self-propelled trailer that is run remotely to get the job done.
The South Korean-manufactured transformer was shipped from Houston to Holmen, Wisconsin by rail. In addition to the unique trailer, crews had to cross a farm field to avoid a weight restricted bridge in Holmen. Wet weather delayed the initial move date, but on Wednesday the transporter made it through the field safely, and into the Briggs Road Substation on Thursday. The substation is an endpoint of the CapX2020 Hampton-Rochester-La Crosse project, which is expected to be complete in 2015.
The project includes three new substations, including Briggs Road, expansion of three existing substations as well as 130 mi of 345-kV transmission line and 30 mi of 161-kV transmission line. Foundation construction started on the 50-mi Wisconsin segment on June 30.
