More big equipment headed for Kemper power plant

ACROSS MISSISSIPPI — Another large piece of equipment will be moved next week to Mississippi Power Co.’s coal-powered power plant under construction in Kemper County.

According to the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT), on Jan. 9, a group of four wide loads will begin leaving Big Bee Valley in Noxubee County for the Kemper County plant.

The loads will travel west along Highway 388 to Highway 45 and then travel south in the southbound lanes to Highway 16. From there the loads will move west along Highway 16 and will turn onto Highway 493 where they will continue to the power plant.

The first two loads are scheduled to depart Jan. 9, while the second two loads are scheduled to depart Jan. 16, weather permitting.

Each load is 21 feet wide, 26 feet high and 187 feet long, and weighs 1.1 million pounds.

Traffic will be limited to one southbound lane on Highway 45 south during the move. Motorists should expect delays and seek alternate routes if possible, MDOT reports.