WATCH: N2 delays expected as turbines move from Richards Bay

otorists travelling on the N2 on the Richards Bay, Pongola and Piet Retief route to Mpumalanga should expect delays owing to the movement of huge wind turbine components over the next few weeks.

Abnormal load fleets are expected to transport the long blades and tower sections from Richards Bay to Mpumalanga on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays – a process that began last week.

It is reported that the tower sections – six sections on six trucks every Monday – will be moved from Richards Bay to just outside Piet Retief where they will remain overnight.

The turbines will then be moved from Piet Retief the following morning en route to the farm between Ermelo and Bethal.

Three blades will be moved every Tuesday to the layover point outside Piet Retief, and then move on via Amsterdam to the farm on Wednesday mornings.

The convoy is estimated to be almost 1km in length, and will move at a fair pace. Motorists are urged to plan their travel accordingly.

The components are destined for a multi-billion rand commercial wind farm under construction in Mpumalanga, expected to power up a mine and supply feed to the Eskom grid.

@zululand_observer

ZO LIVE UPDATE | Abnormal load vehicles are, from today (Wednesday), carrying wind turbine parts from Richards Bay to Mpumalanga via the John Ross highway and N2. The first one is en route, leaving Richards Bay this morning. Motorists are urged to exercise caution when encountering an abnormal load on the roads. Do not attempt to overtake it without more than enough space to do so, and give the truck and its load sufficient space on the road. Video by Sandy Camminga

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