November 10, 2010 in Idaho

ITD issues permits for first four Highway 12 megaloads

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The Idaho Transportation Department issued permits Wednesday for the first four mega-loads proposed for U.S. Highway 12 in north-central Idaho, but the four giant truckloads won’t roll just yet.

The agency said it is suspending the shipments until after a hearing officer rules on a petition for intervention and hearings by residents and businesses along the route - a petition that is being vigorously opposed by ConocoPhillips, which wants to send the big loads of oil refinery equipment through Idaho to its refinery in Billings, Mont. They’re so large they’ll take up both lanes of the two-lane highway, a designated scenic byway that runs along the Lochsa and Clearwater rivers.

Late Tuesday, ConocoPhillips filed a legal brief with ITD arguing against allowing anyone to intervene in the case and in favor of letting it go ahead with the shipments. The four giant loads of oil refinery equipment already are at the Port of Lewiston, and rumors have been hot and heavy this week that they’ll be moving soon. The Lewiston Tribune reported Tuesday that the first two loads already have been attached to semi-trailers.

Conoco spokesman John Roper said Wednesday, “We did get some stuff prepped” as a “prudent business decision.” He said, “If we can get ‘em rolling, we want to.”

The previous permits ITD issued for the four Conoco mega-loads were good only for five days; a judge revoked them after residents and business owners along the route sued, but that ruling was overturned by the Idaho Supreme Court, which said the courts lacked jurisdiction in the case at that point.

ITD spokesman Jeff Stratten wasn’t sure how long the new permits issued Wednesday will be valid, given the suspension.

Laird Lucas, attorney for the residents and businesses who sued, said attorney Merlyn Clark has been appointed as the hearing officer and a briefing schedule will be set on Friday.

“We’re very encouraged that ITD is staying the permits,” Lucas said Wednesday. “There’s been a flurry of activity and Conoco, I think, was expecting to be able to throw its weight around and get those shipments out of the Port of Lewiston tonight.” Lucas said he was encouraged that that didn’t happen. “The public is entitled to a full and fair hearing,” he said.

In a news release issued late Wednesday afternoon, ITD said, “The permits were issued to Emmert International, the contract hauler for ConocoPhillips. ITD’s Motor Vehicle Administrator Alan Frew said the loads meet the state’s legal requirements for an over-legal permit. In the judgment of ITD’s professional staff, Frew said, the loads can be transported safely, without risk to the highways and bridges, with minimal delay to traffic and without disruption to emergency services.”

Four comments on this story so far. Add yours!

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  Shylock13 on November 10 at 4:51 p.m.

  Big $$$$$ people talk bigger than “the little people”—Republicans get their funding from Big $$$$$ people, and care not at all for “the little people” who do not donate very much to them. How much were the pols paid?

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  oneanddone on November 10 at 6:20 p.m.

  What else would anyone expect from a government that takes money from sick kids and gives it to business for tax exemptions. Or turns a blind eye to a lying, cheating, stealing fellow member of the legislature. Or cuts education such that there are 30-40 elementary children per classroom. The Idaho legislature, and Otter’s administration, is THE most corrupt state government of all. They’d sell out their mother, spouse, and kids to do favors for their fellow business pals. Damn them all.

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  MaryMErickson on November 11 at 8:36 a.m.

  Conoco seeks to open the door that will never be closed again…Exxon wants to create this crazy haul route for their benefit alone…not the state of Idaho’s or Montana’s benefit or the greater benefit to anyone but their shareholders. They want to prostitute us all with promises of “millions” because they will be making “billions” anyway and all we’ll have will be broken down roads, bridges and a way of life gone, and beautiful country we cherish forever ruined for their greed. Ask them why they don’t tailor the loads to fit the roads? Ask them why, if they are so invested in “stimulating” our economys with their dollars, why didn’t they contract these modules to be built by Montana, or Idaho companies or Canadian ones more appropriately???? They aren’t doing any of this for you….unless you are a shareholder!

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  straighttalk on November 11 at 9:19 a.m.

  US 12 was built in the 50s; designed, engineered and built private and commerce use but not for these mega loads nor so many of them. There is presently 3 different transport projects. The first, this one, is only 4 mega loads but the next will be 207 mega mega (210x24x30) loads.

  ITD has spent over $1.3m the past couple of years in anticipation of this on turnouts and bridges. All before an application for a permit was even filed and the permit issued. BTW, the application, unsigned, was filed after the issued permit. Talk about eye brow raising misdeeds by ITD. Who and why was all that work done by ITD prior even to an application. Could it be some “political greasing.”

  Billings news media reported this project 3 years ago while Idaho citizens learned about it just this late summer.

  These loads are opposed by the Clearwater National Forest, NezPerce National Forest, along with Idaho citizens and Idaho businesses, as well as Missoula, Missoula County and Montana has not issued a permit for them. The NezPerce tribe is reportedly not allowing power lines to be buried in tribal burial grounds which will necessitate power lines disconnected and reconnected on these loads.

  These are rolling roadblocks hampering westbound traffic and preventing eastbound traffic until they pull over as required. They will be traveling at night from 10 p.m to 3 a.m. and must complete Idaho travel within 5 days. TO BE CONTINUED FOR SURE….. Would love to have Betzy doing her digging skills on this.