HALLSVILLE, Texas — Local motorists should prepare for traffic delays starting Saturday, July 11, as Southwestern Electric Power Co. begins transporting massive generation equipment to its new natural gas facility. The utility provider is scheduled to move two large generators and a turbine to the Hallsville plant site over a five-day period.
The heavy-haul deliveries mark a major milestone for the project, where crews recently finished pouring the concrete foundation for the turbine. Work is also actively progressing on electrical systems, underground piping, and utility infrastructure.
The equipment is arriving in East Texas by train and will be loaded onto specialized transport trailers in Tenaha. From there, each convoy will travel at reduced speeds with a police escort. Each delivery is expected to take roughly four hours.
The first generator will move on Saturday, July 11, followed by the second generator on Monday, July 13. The final delivery, featuring the turbine, is scheduled for Wednesday, July 15.
Utility officials advise drivers to expect slow-moving traffic and seek alternate routes if possible. Delays are anticipated along U.S. Highway 84, FM 699, U.S. Highway 59, FM 2625, and FM 3251.
The transport route begins in Tenaha, heading east on U.S. Highway 84 before turning left onto FM 699 (Antioch Road). Convoys will travel northwest to U.S. Highway 59, head north, and then turn west onto FM 2625. The route continues onto FM 3251, heading north until reaching the plant site, which sits just over a mile south of Interstate 20.
The facility represents a major addition to the regional power grid.
“The arrival of these major components marks another step forward in SWEPCO's efforts to build additional generating capacity, support growing energy demand and enhance long-term reliability for customers across the region,” said Brett Mattison, SWEPCO President and COO.
Once operational, the plant will be the first new thermal generation site built by the company in over 10 years.
"We appreciate the patience of our communities and motorists as this equipment is moved safely to the site," said SWEPCO’s Monte McMahon, VP Generating Assets, West. "These deliveries represent important progress as we continue building infrastructure to serve customers for decades to come."
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