The Idaho Transportation Department has scheduled an additional public meeting in Moscow June 28 to provide information and hear public comment on plans by Imperial Oil to truck up to 200 large pieces of equipment on U.S. Highway 12 from Lewiston to Montana; that route includes the wild and scenic river corridor of the Lochsa River. The oil company's equipment is bound for the Kearl oil sands project in northern Alberta, Canada. ITD said it scheduled the Moscow public meeting at the request of state Rep. Tom Trail, R-Moscow. Click below to read ITD's announcement.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Additional meeting scheduled in Moscow to provide information, take public comment on plans to truck large equipment on U.S. 12

BOISE - An additional public meeting is scheduled for June 28 in Moscow to provide information and take comment on proposed plans by Imperial Oil to truck up to 200 large pieces of equipment on U.S. 12.

The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) and Imperial Oil will jointly host meetings at the following locations:

Moscow            June 28            11 a.m. to 1 p.m.            Moscow City Hall

Lewiston            June 28            4 p.m. to 7 p.m.            Red Lion Inn

Kooskia            June 29            4 p.m. to 7 p.m.            Kooskia City Hall

Imperial Oil is proposing to haul equipment from the Port of Lewiston on U.S. 12 in Idaho, then into Montana. From Montana, the equipment will be driven to Alberta, Canada, for the Kearl oil sands project in northern Alberta.

"State Representative Tom Trail contacted the department saying many of his constituents were asking if a meeting could be held in Moscow," Alan Frew, ITD motor vehicle administrator, said. "We were able to coordinate with Imperial Oil and facilitate that request."

To qualify for the permits, ITD will require Imperial Oil to:

- Comply with the ITD's approved vehicle configuration and weight limits

- Submit a traffic control plan and receive approval from ITD

- Transport the equipment at night when vehicle volumes are the lowest

- Use existing pullovers to minimize traffic delays to no more than 15 minutes

- Facilitate emergency response for law enforcement, fire, ambulance calls and other emergencies

Comments or questions on Imperial Oils plan to transport the equipment can be made by attending the meetings and using comment forms, by mailing the Idaho Transportation Department at P.O. Box 7129, Boise, 83707-1129, or by emailing comments@itd.idaho.gov.  An overview of Imperial Oils transport plans also can be viewed at www.kearltransport.com/Idaho. The deadline for comments is July 14.
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