What’s inside Intel’s nearly 1 million pound super loads

NEW ALBANY, Ohio (WCMH) — Intel has revealed what’s being transported to its Ohio One construction site, as the third nearly 1 million pound super load is expected to delay traffic in several central Ohio communities over the following days.

On Wednesday, the “extra large super load” left from a dock on the Ohio River in Adams County. The Ohio Department of Transportation began moving the super loads in March, with most going to Intel but a few taken to a recycling facility elsewhere in Licking County.

Forbes names central Ohio employer as best place for women to work in the country

“So far so good,” ODOT press secretary Matt Bruning said. “We haven’t had any major incidents at all. Things have been running smoothly.”

Despite the transportation project starting more than four months ago, details of what’s been inside the super loads have been kept close to the vest. Until this point, it was only known that they were moving air processors, also known as cold boxes.

Now, Intel has revealed what exactly these air processors are used for and how they are necessary to the construction of the semiconductor plant. Intel’s senior construction manager Laura Tenney explained how the equipment works.

“It takes the air that we’re breathing right now and it separates it into three primary gases: oxygen, nitrogen and argon,” Tenney said. “And that is used in the construction and manufacturing process for Intel.”

These Ohio marijuana companies are the first approved for recreational business

This super load — the third of four extra large shipments — is carrying another of these cold boxes. Measuring 23 feet tall, 20 feet wide and 280 feet long and weighing in at 916,000 pounds, the super load is scheduled to take seven days to reach New Albany.

Stopping in multiple central Ohio townships and cities during its trip, the super load is expected to continue along the following route, before its arrival Tuesday:

• Friday — Starts in Scioto County and travels through Pike County into Ross County, with an approximate departure of 5:45 a.m.

  • Travel north on U.S. 23 to Piketon where it will cross over into southbound lanes of U.S. 23 at Market Street to maneuver around traffic signals, then crossing back over into the northbound lanes of U.S. 23

  • Travel north on U.S. 23 to Chillicothe

  • Take U.S. 35 west to State Route 104 north

  • Travel north on State Route 104 toward State Route 207

  • Overnight location: North of State Route 104/State Route 207 intersection

• Saturday — Starts in Ross County and travels through Pickaway County into Franklin County, with an approximate departure of 5:45 a.m.

  • Travel north on State Route 104 to State Route 762 near Commercial Point

  • Travel east on State Route 762 to Rickenbacker Parkway

  • Overnight location: Rickenbacker

• Sunday — Starts in and travels through Franklin County into Fairfield County, with an approximate departure of 5:45 a.m.

  • Travel north on Rickenbacker Parkway north to State Route 317

  • Travel north on State Route 317 past Groveport to Bixby Road East

  • Travel east on Bixby Road to U.S. 33

  • Travel east in the westbound lanes of U.S. 33 to the Gender Road southbound to U.S. 33 westbound ramp in Canal Winchester

  • Travel the wrong way on Gender Road southbound to U.S. 33 westbound ramp

  • Take State Route 674/Gender Road north to Brice Road

  • Travel north on Brice Road to the Tussing Road/State Route 204 intersection in Columbus

  • Travel east on Tussing Road/State Route 204 toward State Route 310

  • Overnight location: Freedom Way in Pickerington

• Monday, July 29 — Starts in Fairfield County and travels into Licking County, with an approximate departure of 9 a.m.

  • Travel east on Tussing Road/State Route 204 to State Route 310

  • Travel north on State Route 310 to U.S. 40 in Etna

  • Travel west on U.S. 40 to Mink Street

  • Travel north on Mink Street to State Route 16

  • Travel east on State Route 16 to Park Avenue

  • Overnight location: Pataskala

• Tuesday, July 30 — Starts in and travels through Licking County, arriving at Intel site in New Albany, with an approximate departure of 9 a.m.

  • Travel east on State Route 16 to State Route 310

  • Travel north on State Route 310 to State Route 161

  • Travel west on State Route 161 to Mink Street

  • Travel north on Mink Street to Clover Valley Road NW

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.