Manitoba Hydro guides oversized tank convoy
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Manitoba Hydro crews lifted or disconnected power lines at about 220 locations to help a convoy of eight oversized storage tanks travel safely across southern Manitoba and reach the U.S. border south of Tolstoi.
About 15 crews worked each day to prepare for the convoy, moving ahead of the shipment to ensure overhead power lines could be safely cleared before the massive structures passed underneath.
Crews remained at each crossing as the convoy moved through before leapfrogging ahead to prepare the next location, according to Manitoba Hydro.
The operation also required temporary, localized power outages of about an hour in some areas to protect workers, transport crews and the public.
“We needed to lift or disconnect power lines in about 220 locations to make sure this convoy of structures could move safely across the province,” the utility said in an email.
Some of the most challenging work took place in communities along the affected highways, including Lowe Farm, where crews had to manage 20 crossings within a two-kilometre stretch.
Manitoba Hydro thanked customers for their patience and support during the temporary interruptions.
The utility worked with the shipper and Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure to co-ordinate the move after the shipper submitted a clearance permit.
Under Manitoba Hydro’s procedures, any structure taller than 4.8 metres being transported by road requires a clearance permit. The utility works with shippers to determine whether a structure can safely pass beneath power lines along an approved route.
For the tank convoy, about five Manitoba Hydro staff members planned the work in advance. Their responsibilities included measuring power lines to confirm clearances, identifying lines that needed to be lifted or disconnected, and determining where temporary outages would be required.
The convoy’s journey through Manitoba took longer than initially scheduled. The move was originally planned for Sept. 22-24, affecting highways between Kirkella, Morris and the U.S. border. Delays pushed the convoy’s arrival in Rosa to Sept. 24, while further work was postponed as the shipper dealt with logistical challenges south of the border.
Manitoba Hydro later announced the convoy would resume travelling Oct. 5, with customers along Highway 59 between Rosa and the U.S. border potentially experiencing brief power interruptions between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m., depending on the convoy’s progress.
» Winnipeg Sun