Giant power transformer move will slow I-89 traffic this weekend

June 23, 2023 | By Lisa Scagliotti 

Pixabay photo by Roy Harryman

Transport of a very large VELCO power transformer from Milton to Barre will impact traffic on Interstate 89 overnight Saturday and early Sunday morning, according to the Vermont Agency of Transportation. 

Travelers southbound on Interstate 89 late Saturday night and early Sunday morning may want to find an alternate route or be prepared for a long delay as a very large, slow load makes its way from Milton to Barre. 

The Vermont Agency of Transportation has issued an alert from 11 p.m. on Saturday, June 24, until 8 a.m. on Sunday, June 25, starting at Exit 17 in Milton and ending at Exit 6 in South Barre. 

“VELCO is moving a transformer from its Milton substation to its Barre substation,” explained Agency of Transportation spokeswoman Amy Tatko. “The transformer will be moving down I-89 southbound and then will cross over the median and cross the northbound travel lanes in order to exit the interstate using the northbound on-ramp.” 

Starting at 11 p.m., a convoy moving the large load will leave Milton via U.S. Route 2 east proceeding south on I-89 from Exit 17, heading to Exit 6.

“This oversized transport will proceed at an average speed of 10 to 15 m.p.h. and will be accompanied by police and civilian escorts during transit,” according to the alert. “This transport will occupy both lanes at times on I-89 south [and] vehicles will be unable to pass during these times.”

On Sunday morning beginning at approximately 6 a.m., a rolling roadblock will begin at Exit 4 in Randolph proceeding north to Exit 6. 

The roadblock is meant to facilitate the movement of the oversized transport vehicle across the median and northbound lanes of I-89 and then its use of the Exit 6 northbound on-ramp, the bulletin states.

Delays are not expected to exceed 30 minutes. On-ramp closures at Exit 5 and Exit 6 are planned. Expect minor delays on Vermont Route 63 in Berlin and Barre as well as Vermont Route 14 in South Barre on Sunday after 6 a.m., officials said.