Crews Move Massive Transformer Through Neligh Tuesday

Ariel photos Courtesy Brian Wilcox/Wilcox Flying Service

As the noon whistle blew in Neligh, a crew of more than a dozen workers led a new transformer through town Tuesday. 

It took nearly half an hour for crews from the Nebraska Public Power District and the Nebraska Department of Roads to move the massive piece of equipment along Highway 14 through Neligh. Members of the Nebraska State Patrol, Neligh Police Department and the City of Neligh helped direct traffic around the elongated semi as well as clear the road for travel. The crews made a stop at the intersection of Highway 14 and Highway 275 for approximately 10 minutes to allow traffic that had been backed up behind the semi to pass.

The transformer has been on the road since Monday morning. The equipment left Axtell and made its way to the Neligh area, taking Highway 6 until the crew reached Highway 81. From 81, they turned west on to Highway 34 before heading north on Highway 14 out of Central City. Due to the shear size and weight of the transformer, crews were only able to travel at between 10 and 12 miles per hour.

Now that the transformer has made it's way through Neligh, crews will install the massive equipment at a substation east of town.