The largest pieces came in steel crating to facilitate loading and provide protection. However, the crating made round, tapered pieces into otherwise square cargo, which would need significantly more overhead clearance. By cutting and removing top portions of the crating, several pieces were transported without stretching utility lines or removing overhanging obstacles. These were trucked using specialized perimetral trailers, which provided additional height clearance due to their very low base. They moved in convoys of 2-3 loads to further minimize movement of utility lines and obstacles. Multiple packages were so wide, the roads so narrow, and the placement of telephone poles close to the street that there were just inches of clearance at certain times.

Last-mile transportation of these oversized pieces endured the depths of winter through ice storms and snow, through spring rains, and into the hot summer, or bat season.

Since the Indiana bat is an endangered species and an integral part of the local ecosystem, UTC interfaced with local wildlife authorities to ensure that continuous overnight transports of oversized equipment would not disrupt the population, which make their home in the hardwood trees lining the route.

UTC’s strength is adapting to the client’s needs, which changed as the project progressed. The pandemic, lockdowns, port closures, reduced labor pools, escalating shipping costs, and vessel availability were all contributing factors. Contingency planning for these types of disruptions is fundamental in executing a project of this magnitude. Fortunately for UTC’s Cement Division, their skill, years of experience, and advanced planning allowed the freight to move uninterrupted. The job was well-executed, safely, and on time.