Transporting Equipment for Grand Coulee Third Plant

Unusual problems encountered and solutions considered for transporting extremely heavy equipment for the Grand Coulee Third Power Plant are described. The power plant, ultimately to be the world's largest, is a major feature of the Bureau of Reclamation's Columbia Basin Project. Also mentioned is permanent handling equipment to lift and convey the 2000-ton rotors for the 600,000-kw generators, the 500-ton turbine runners, and other unusually large and heavy equipment components within the power plant. Railways can, by special routing and in special multiaxle cars, carry loads to 300 tons, provided clearance requirements can be met. Ovesrsize components will be transported on special trucks or by a combination of barges and special land equipment. An investigation was conducted by the Bureau to determine the adequacy of the bridge spanning the existing spillway to carry loads to 350 tons.