FLOODWATERS have put the brakes on one of the biggest deliveries the Darling Downs has seen. Brad Ultra Heavy Haulage began transporting a gas turbine to the Darling Downs Power Station, 40km west pf Dalby, pm Friday night before they were forced to a halt near Jondaryan.

Recent rain and flooded roads in Dalby region forced the delay. The convoy tips the scales at more than 550 tonnes, is 120 metres long, seven metres wide and 5.6 metres high.

Bradshaw Ultra Heavy Haulage assistant manager David Verrall said the company was one of only two in Australia which had the capabilities to deal with the project.

“There have been quite a few challenges for us since we left Port of Brisbane on Friday night,” Mr Verrall said.
“From the out we had to deal with all the roadworks in the Brisbane area, then, of course there was the Toowoomba Range and now we have the issue of flood waters block the roads.”

Six prime movers were involved in the transportation of the turbine up the Toowoomba Range.
“It has certainly been a massive project. When we transported the turbine up the range the gross tonnage was about 555 tonnes. We operated with a four-two formation, four prime-movers on the front and two on the back.
“Since then we’ve transporting in a two-two formation.

About 20 people including truck drivers, police, Main roads and electrical expert personnel have been involved in the transportation, project.

“We have a big crew involved so that all t he bases are covered,” Mr Verrall said.
“We also have people who are required to walk alongside the rig from time to time to check out if any trees or other items pose any potential problem”.

Mr Verall said the current delivery was the first of three turbines scheduled for transportation to the power station.
The shipping of a second turbine, currently at the Port of Brisbane, has been postoned by the delays surrounding the current delivery.

By Jason Gibbs from The Chronicle