June 2, 2012
Michigan

Massive wind farm parts due on local roads

Daily Press | www.dailypress.net 2 June 2012

ESCANABA – A total of 130 semi-trucks will be passing through the Delta County area en route to the Garden Peninsula as construction of the Garden Wind Farm begins. Up to 10 trucks per day will be hauling turbine blades, nacelles and tower components from June 4 to 20, according to company officials.

Each truck will require a special escort to assist in hauling the 200-foot components. The trucks will be traveling along the route: U.S. 41 North to County Road 521 to 18th Road to J Road to County Road 416 to County Road 420 to County Road 426 to 085 Road to M-35 to Brampton Road to U.S. 2 and finally to M-183 and the Garden Peninsula.

The best suggested location for anyone hoping to catch a glimpse of the components in transport is at the intersection of Brampton Road and U.S. 2 at Rapid River.

“Moving these components is no small feat and we appreciate the support from all of the communities and areas we will be passing through, said Rick Wilson, vice president, Heritage Sustainable Energy. “We are looking forward to this exciting phase of construction, our goal is to continue with the progress of the project as well as maintain communication with the communities that may be affected throughout this process.”

The 13 turbines being constructed are in addition to the one turbine already assembled and functioning at the Garden Wind Farm. Each turbine has an installed generator capacity of 2 megawatts and is expected to generate electricity equivalent to the annual usage of 400 to 500 homes.

The first phase of the project is expected to be completed by September. From the first phase of the project, the activities of Heritage Sustainable Energy will contribute over $10 million to the area in materials, equipment rental, lodging and meals, construction related jobs, subcontracts, lease payments and turbine site payments to participating landowners. The long-term revenue stream from the Garden Wind Farm includes revenue payments to local and state governments, royalty payments to landowners (dependent on monthly production and contract energy price) along with three to five full-time maintenance and operations jobs at the site on the Garden Peninsula.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/06/02/massive-wind-farm-parts-due-on-local-roads/