Taking up the entire roadway, the Williams Energy de-ethanizer “superload” steams ahead toward Sherrard along W.Va. 86 Sunday.
GLEN DALE, W.Va. – In February, contractors moving the Williams Energy de-ethanizer “superload” needed West Virginia Division of Highways officials to move two street signs out of the way to make the 90-degree turn from W.Va. 2 onto W.Va. 86.
Movers needed no such help Sunday morning, as the second machine weighing in at a whopping 510,000 pounds and stretching 41 yards made the turn with no problems. This allowed the superload to steam onward into the heart of Marshall County through the afternoon. Officials hope to lead it to the Williams Oak Grove facility along Fork Ridge Road by Tuesday.
“They have improved since the last time,” said Delegate David Evans, R-Marshall, one of about 50 interested observers gathered near the W.Va. 86 entrance in Glen Dale. “It is impressive, the way they can do this.”
The de-ethanizer left the Benwood CSX rail yard at 8:30 a.m. Sunday onboard the special Goldhofer modular platform, which features 48 wheels that can each move and pivot in multiple directions, allowing maximum control. Piloting the Goldhofer by remote control, an operator walked in front of the machine that never exceeded 5 mph.
“I would not want to play that guy in a video game,” said Wheeling resident Donna Deagle, who said she had to work when the first superload moved through Glen Dale in February. “He has to be good.”
Glen Dale residents Pete Prettyman and Pete DiCrease said they support Marcellus and Utica shale development, such as the $4.5 billion Williams is investing in its three Marshall County sites: Oak Grove, Fort Beeler and south of Moundsville…
