Posted: Mar 10, 2011 6:26 AM by Breanna Roy (KPAX News)
Updated: Mar 10, 2011 9:06 AM
MISSOULA- The much anticipated megaloads made their way through Missoula overnight and now sit parked along Interstate 90 just before the Orange Street exit. Loads this big are bound to turn some heads, even in the middle of the night.
"They're very cool, they're super huge and it's really awesome to watch them go by," Missoula resident Jade Byington remarked."
Something so big requires some mega adjustments and toad crews had to relocate several traffic signals to make room for the trucks to get through.
"As far as the size of a load and permitting large loads, it's not uncommon for the state of Montana. [It] might be uncommon for some people...and some people enjoyed that; watchin' this load go though Missoula and down Reserve Street," Montana Department of Transportation Director Jim Lynch said early Thursday.
"They were driving right down Reserve and I just live over here, so I had to see it for myself. And [I was] just largely unimpressed," Missoula resident Mike Hamblin observed.
But some big rig protesters made their voices heard early Thursday. While some cooperated with law enforcement, others along Reserve Street crossed the line, with some sitting on the road in front of the procession.
Montana Highway Patrol troopers initially arrested four people, but then decided to let them go with disorderly conduct violations.
Montana Highway Patrol Sergeant Jason Hildenstab, who was on the scene, said troopers initially placed people under arrest but they then became cooperative. "We used our discretion and decided to cite and release them."
Seven MHP vehicles were specifically on hand to assist Emmert's moving company in order make sure traffic flowed safely. "Our main objective when we're assisting in this is to make sure...nobody gets hurt," Hildenstab explained.
"Most of the hold-up was caused by those expressing their opinion on the loads coming down the highway," Lynch told us.
But after about 15 miles and 2½ hours, the megaloads had made it though Missoula and were parked near the Orange Street exit on Interstate 90.
The loads plan to travel through Bonner and Clinton on Friday morning as they make a roundabout trip through Montana, hitting Helena, Harlowtown, Lewiston and Roundup before going to their final destination in Billings.
Once the first two loads reach Billings two more will leave the port of Lewiston, Idaho and start the process all over again.
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