‘Super oversize’ load to be convoyed from Jay to South Portland this week

Maine DOT to Move Oversized Steam Generator From Jay to South Portland, Road Closures Tuesday–Wednesday

A 220‑foot heat‑recovery steam generator will set off on a two‑night convoy from Jay to South Portland, prompting temporary road closures on several major highways and urging motorists to plan alternate routes. The Maine Department of Transportation (DOT) said the move, scheduled to begin at about 6 p.m. Tuesday, will be the first of nine oversized loads planned for the corridor, with the dates for the remaining eight to follow once the initial trip is completed.

A massive load, a critical component

The generator, weighing more than 683,000 pounds, measures roughly 20 feet wide and 19 feet tall. Heat‑recovery generators are used at industrial sites and power plants to produce steam power. While the DOT did not disclose the receiving facility’s name, officials said the shipment is part of a larger effort to upgrade South Portland’s power infrastructure.

Route and timeline

The convoy will depart from Riley Road and Crash Road in Jay, then travel south on Route 4, Route 117, Route 26, U.S. Route 202, Route 22, and U.S. Route 1, arriving at Broadway and Elm Street in South Portland. Along the way it will pass through Franklin, Androscoggin, Oxford, and Cumberland counties.

After a brief stop in either Oxford or Turner around 6 a.m. Wednesday, the convoy will resume its southward journey that evening. Local public‑safety agencies will manage intersections and enforce temporary closures during the transit.

Road closures and traffic adjustments

• Route 117 (Buckfield) will be closed from 5 p.m. Tuesday until roughly midnight to allow a temporary bridge to be constructed for the convoy. Residents were asked to avoid parking along Route 117 that evening.
• Route 4 (Livermore and Turner) will see reduced traffic flow, with the Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Office warning of significant impacts on that stretch on Tuesday night.
• Route 4 and Washington Street (Auburn) will require drivers to keep clear of parking during the movement period, according to Auburn Fire and Rescue Department officials. U.S. Route 202 in the area will also experience traffic disruptions.

Advice for motorists

Maine DOT officials urged drivers to obey all posted signage, follow directions from local law‑enforcement and utility crews, and use alternate routes whenever possible. Motorists were also reminded that parking on the streets along the convoy’s path could obstruct the transport and should be avoided.

Looking ahead

“This is the first of nine oversized loads planned along this route,” the DOT said. “We will release the schedule for the remaining eight loads once the first is completed.” The agency encouraged residents in the affected counties to stay informed through local news outlets and the DOT’s website.

With the convoy’s arrival expected later Wednesday, the heat‑recovery generator will begin its journey toward South Portland’s power facilities, a key step in the state’s ongoing infrastructure improvements.