PJStar Resorts to Journalism


It is about time they notice.

Wind turbine components have been stored in the Tazewell & Peoria Railroad's East Peoria Yard for more than two months - in full public view. It took awhile for the local "newspaper of record" to report on it. Even if they lacked sufficient information, they could have run a photo.

Better late than never, I guess.

Fortunately, the article posted late Tuesday confirms that the components are for the Walnut Ridge Wind Farm in Bureau County. Blades, tower sections, hubs and nacelles have sat longer than expected because the developer (Landwehr Construction Inc.) wanted to truck them out on Wesley Road, Route 29 and then I-474. But Wesley Road couldn't handle the size and/or weight of some of the materials.

An alternative route onto Columbia Street, West Washington Street, Main Street and then US 24 east is planned for the last week of June through the last week of September. The company will ship two turbines (requiring nine trucks each) between 2:00 and 5:00 each weekday morning. 

- David P. Jordan

Comments

  1. ShawnMay 22, 2018 at 5:24 AM

    I hope you will publish a picture of the truck trailers that will be used to transport the blades to their final destination. If it takes two 89' flats per blade for rail transport, I am having a hard time imagining what it takes for road transport.
    Thanks, Shawn

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. David P. JordanMay 22, 2018 at 9:44 AM

      I may get a chance to get photos/video if I have to work overtime this summer.

      Delete
  2. Todd BehrendsMay 22, 2018 at 7:09 PM

    I read that in the Peoria Paper. Was not aware of the routing. Yes, it does seem strange that the paper waited this long to run a story. Does IAIS run close to where the wind farm will be? If so, wouldn't it be simpler to run a train of components close to the site and truck them from there?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. David P. JordanMay 22, 2018 at 11:19 PM

      What if scenarios of logistics are fascinating but it looks like the TZPR's East Peoria Yard had everything the developer needed, such as ready storage space. Union Pacific trackage on the north end of the Peoria Sub at Nelson might have been adequate for unloading, but they'd have to rent storage space on adjacent farmland. Interstate 88 is accessible nearby but is a toll road that immediate area.

      Delete

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