Supersized load to slow Hume traffic over three nights

By Simon Ruppert

Jan 16, 2025

An oversized, 73-metre-long, load will pass Benalla on the Hume Fwy this week. Photo by Contributed

A 73-metre-long load will make its way, en route from Glen Waverley to Wodonga, past Benalla on the Hume Fwy either late Monday night, or early Tuesday morning.

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There will be significant disruptions to traffic along the route at times where rolling closures will result in temporary detours and delays.

A Victorian Department of Transport and Planning spokesperson said motorists are asked to be patient when encountering the load in transit.

“And to follow the direction of the traffic controllers escorting the load,” the spokesperson said.

Victoria Police will be present during this complex operation, to help ensure there is no obstruction to the safe transport of the load.

“There will be no designated viewing opportunities available, so we ask the community to stay well clear for their own safety when the load is in transit and when parked,” the spokesperson said.

From 9pm on Monday, January 20, the load will travel north along the Hume Fwy from Beveridge, leaving the freeway at Tallarook to use Main Rd, Schoolhouse Ln and Dysart Rd before returning to the freeway, just before Seymour, and arriving at the Wangaratta rest area by early Tuesday morning.

The load will then continue north along the Hume Fwy to Wodonga from 10pm Tuesday, January 21.

Once the load arrives at the Wodonga rest area, NSW Police will take over coordination for the remainder of the journey.

The load travels at speeds of up to 60km/h. When travelling over bridges or around corners, the load will slow to around 5km/h.

Due to its 5.3-metre width, this load will take up the entire width of some roads, however there will be limited opportunities to pass, under supervision of the specialist support crew.

Traffic management officers and load escorts will accompany the load for the entire journey, making sure that roads are safe during and after the move.

They will help to manoeuvre the vehicle safely around corners, temporarily removing signs and lights, placing steel supports over existing drainage and will then put everything back in place once the load has passed through.

Real-time traffic conditions are available at traffic.transport.vic.gov.au/

The latest public transport information and network status is available at ptv.vic.gov.au/ or in the PTV mobile app.