Oversize load to complete the final leg of its journey from Jay to South Portland

Massive Oversize Load Traces a Long Route to South Portland

A 220‑foot‑long, 20‑foot‑wide transport carrying a heat‑recovery steam generator is on its way from the former Androscoggin Mill in Jay to its new home in South Portland. The convoy, which weighs more than 683,000 pounds, is expected to arrive by 6 a.m. Tuesday morning.

The journey began Monday evening at approximately 9 p.m. from Buxton. The load is being escorted by utility crews and law‑enforcement officers, and the Maine State Police have issued a news release outlining the route and precautions. Motorists are urged to heed detour signs and follow traffic‑control directions.

Route and Key Stops

The oversized vehicle will first cross a Maine Turnpike bridge between 1 and 2 a.m. on Tuesday. To distribute the weight safely, crews will begin installing a “jumper bridge” – a series of steel beams laid across the bridge – at around 10 p.m. that evening, which will also trigger detours for local traffic.

From there, the load will travel along U.S. Route 1 in Scarborough, then head to Broadway and Elm Street in South Portland, where it is slated to arrive at its final destination.

The convoy’s path takes it through portions of Franklin, Androscoggin, Oxford and York counties, and it has already caused temporary road closures and attracted curious onlookers.

Why the Delay?

The transport was originally expected to reach South Portland within two days. However, officials on the night of September 29 reported that the journey would take longer than anticipated. While the exact cause of the delay has not been specified, the extended timeline has pushed the arrival to the early hours of Tuesday.

Future Oversize Loads

This is the first of nine oversize loads that Maine Department of Transportation has planned for the route. Each will follow a similar schedule, requiring coordinated efforts from utility crews, law‑enforcement and state police to ensure safe passage.

The heat‑recovery steam generator will play a key role in the new South Portland facility’s energy efficiency, but for now the focus remains on the logistics of moving a vehicle that is more than twice the length of a typical commercial truck.