Traffic alert: Wide load traveling through Lynchburg area

Updated 12:14 a.m.:

People using the roads may encounter delays during nighttime hours Wednesday and Thursday as huge oversize loads move through the Lynchburg area on trucks, the Virginia Department of Transportation said.

Oversized tractor-trailers carrying forging-press equipment are scheduled to make three trips from Newport News to Martinsville, starting Monday.

The trucks are approximately 225 feet long (the length of 3½ normal tractor-trailers), 16 feet, 5 inches wide and have a combined gross weight of up to 551,000 pounds — seven times more than the heaviest 18-wheelers.

The operators will travel between 6:30 p.m. and 6:30 a.m. through Richmond, Charlottesville, Lynchburg and Danville.

In most of those cities the trucks will leave bypass routes to avoid possibly damaging bridges. They will use local roads and streets until they can connect again to routes such as U.S. 29 and U.S. 460.

One truck began the trip in Newport News on Monday, with another rolling out today. A third trip is scheduled to begin July 21.

Each trip is expected to take two to three days, depending on weather and other unexpected conditions.

The trucks are expected to be parked on the Madison Heights bypass during the day Wednesday and Thursday, VDOT spokeswoman Paula Jones said.

Lynchburg traffic will be affected in the vicinity of the U.S. 29 Bypass, U.S. 460 westbound, U.S. 501 Business and U.S. 460 eastbound to U.S. 29 south.

The trucks are transporting three parts of a forging press, which is used to make titanium, from the Newport News Marine Terminal to RTI International Metals in Martinsville.Drivers will need to make room for a wide load on

Virginia roads today through Thursday.

Earlier:

State transportation officials warn that massive tractor-trailer will haul pieces of a forging press for titanium manufacturing from Newport News to Martinsville by a circuitous route that includes Lynchburg, beginning today.

The press pieces will be hauled by a truck that is 225 feet long, or the length of three and a half tractor-trailers. The truck will be 16 feet, five inches wide, carrying a combined gross load weighing up to 551,000 pounds.

The Virginia Department of Transportation and Department of Motor Vehicles are coordinating the route with the hauling company to reduce the effects on other drivers, local businesses, and residents along the route. Look for electronic message signs for information about potential traffic delays.

Click here for a map (PDF) of the route. The following roads will be used:

Hampton Roads
I-664 West
I-64 West
Exit 231 (Croaker, James City County)
Route 607
U-turn at Route 602 (Fenton Mill Rd.)
Route 607
Route 30 into New Kent County

Richmond
Continue on Route 30
Route 249 (New Kent Highway)
Enter I-64 West at Exit 205 (Bottoms Bridge)
I-295 North
Exit 37 (Route 360, Mechanicsville Turnpike)
Route 360 East
U-turn at Sandy Lane Road (to avoid a bridge on Route 360 over I-64)
Route 360 West
I-295 North through Hanover and Henrico counties
I-64 West (in Short Pump)
Exit 173 (Route 623 in Goochland; to avoid a bridge)
I-64 West
Exit 167 (Oilville)
Route 617 North
Route 702 (Pony Farm Road)
Route 636 (Elps Church Road)
Route 250 West
Route 522 (Sandy Hook Road)
I-64 West
Louisa Rest Area

Charlottesville
Continue on I-64 West
Exit 120 (Route 631, Albemarle County; to avoid a bridge)
I-64 West
Exit 118 (Route 29)
Route 29 South
Route 29 Business at Lovingston (Nelson County)
Route 56 East
Route 650 West (Oak Ridge Road)
Route 653 West
Route 710 West
Route 653 West

Lynchburg
Route 29 South
Route 29 Bypass
Route 460 West
Route 501 Business ramp (to avoid a bridge)
Route 460 West
U-turn at Route 682
Route 460 East
Route 29 South
Ramp to Route 29 Business (Route 712, Altavista)
Route 29 Bypass to Route 29
Route 29 Business (Gretna, Pittsylvania County)
Route 29 South
Route 649 (Payneton Road)
Route 685 (Chalk Level Road)
Route 691 (Mill Creek Road)
Route 689 (Strader Road)
Route 691
Route 1431 (Neighborhood Road)
Route 29 Business (Chatham)
Route 29 South

Danville
Route 29 Business
Route 726 (Malmaison Road, east)
Route 360 West
Route 41
Route 58/29 Bypass
Route 29 Business North
U-turn at Greentree Road
Route 29 Business South
Route 58 Bypass
Route 58 West

Martinsville
Route 29 (Business Gretna)
Route 40 West
Route 799 South
Route 57 West
Route 58 Business East
Route 58 Bypass West
Route 220 Business
Route 174