By Olivia Condous
Moorabool residents driving on the Western Freeway in the early hours of Friday morning may be affected by traffic delays, caused by a huge superload travelling from Melbourne towards South Australia.
Motorists travelling in both directions on the Western Freeway between Dicksons Road in Pentland Hills and Old Melbourne Road in Ballan will share the outbound lanes between 1am and 4am Friday, as the superload travels on the wrong side of the freeway.
The superload is approximately 90 metres long, weighs about 390 tonnes and is transporting a large electrical transformer.
When in transit, the superload will be difficult to pass due to its 5.8 metre width. Officials will provide opportunities to pass where possible.
Traffic management officers and load escorts will accompany the superload for the entire journey, making sure that roads are safe during and after the move.
Officials will help to manoeuvre the vehicle safely around corners, temporarily removing signs and lights, placing steel supports over existing drainage and will then put everything back in place once the superload has passed through.
The Department of Transport has asked motorists who plan to travel between Melbourne and Ballarat overnight to consider timing their journey to avoid delays and to follow directions of traffic controllers.
