More Heavy Load Travel Delays Nov. 12-15

Thursday, November 12, 2015 at 12:00 AM

The New Mexico Department of Transportation announced today that travelers should expect delays in northwest New Mexico November 12-15 due to trucks hauling extremely heavy loads to Utah. The loads are transformers that will arrive in Thoreau, New Mexico by train and will then be loaded onto the trucks.

From NM-DOT:

NMDOT Advises of Potential Traffic Delays Movement of Second Heavy Load Transfer Scheduled To Begin November 12

Santa Fe - The New Mexico Department of Transportation announced today that travelers should expect delays in northwest New Mexico toward the end of the week of November ninth due to trucks hauling extremely heavy loads to Utah. The loads – which are the heaviest to ever be transported on New Mexico roadways – are transformers that will arrive in Thoreau, New Mexico by train and will then be loaded onto the trucks.

The first heavy equipment transformer weighing more than 1.7 million pounds completed its route through New Mexico on October 30. The movement of the second transformer is scheduled to travel this week, weighing more than 1.6 million pounds. This load will be 411 feet long, 22 feet wide and 19 feet tall, with one truck pulling and five trucks pushing each load, just as the previous load.

Motorists are urged to plan ahead of time to avoid delays. The route for the second load is as follows:

Thursday, 11/12/15 (9 a.m.) - Depart Thoreau, NM and travel north on NM 371 to Navajo Route 9, near Crownpoint at approximately 10 mph. Expected travel time is 4-5 hours.

Friday, 11/13/15 (9 a.m.) - Depart and travel west on Navajo Route 9 to US 491 just north of Twin Lakes.

Saturday, 11/14/15 (9 a.m.) - Depart and travel north on US 491 to US 64, south of Shiprock. Expected travel time is seven hours.

Sunday, 11/15/15 (9 a.m.) - Depart and travel west on US 64 to the Arizona/NM Border. Expected travel time is 3-4 hours.

NMDOT has been assured that the transportation won’t affect emergency vehicles. The New Mexico State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Bureau will escort the caravan along all NM and US routes.

More from Local News

Police Arrest Woman for Husband's Fatal Stabbing 5 years ago

After a thorough and ongoing investigation by detectives and working with the district attorney's office, a thorough review of the case was conducted, and the decision to proceed with criminal charges was made. A warrant was issued to charge Heather Fernandez-Hoefer. She was taken into custody without incident on April 1, 2025.
Update: Arrest Made in Fatal Shooting

Upon arrival, deputies made contact with multiple individuals including juveniles and young adults and located a deceased individual identified as Samuell Tariq Liggins, age 20.
Suspect Arrested in Farmington Murder Case

Following an extensive investigation by Farmington Police Department detectives, an arrest warrant was issued for 40-year-old Matthew Sandoval, who is known to have a family connection to Madrid, who has been charged with 1st Degree Murder and Tampering with Evidence. On March 28, Sandoval was located by U.S. Marshals in the 400 block of W. Animas. Farmington Police officers responded and arrested Sandoval on the outstanding warrant.
Farmington Temple Opens this Summer

Invited guests will tour the temple, the afternoon of July 14, and all day on July 15 and 16, 2025. A public open house will run from July 17 to August 2, 2025, excluding Sundays.
Police: Farmington Child Abuse Suspect Killed in Home

Video

Officers canvassed the area for the suspect; however, investigators believe the individual left the area prior to police arrival. The Farmington Police Department is releasing a video of a person of interest. The video shows a male on a bicycle headed east on Navajo Street towards Lincoln Avenue. The Farmington Police Department urges anyone with information or video surveillance from the area to contact detectives at 505-599-1068.
College Opens new Student Health Center

The $2.2 million Student Health Center spans 2,652 square feet and is designed to provide accessible healthcare services on campus. The center features two exam rooms, three offices for medical and behavioral health professionals, restrooms, storage areas, and additional support spaces.