Motorists utilising Mid West and Goldfields over the next two months are being urged to take caution

It’s a bird. It’s a plane. No, it’s more than 2000 tonnes of wind turbine hardware travelling along regional roads, destined for a mine near Kambalda. An epic two-month road voyage to truck seven mammoth wind turbines from Geraldton to the Goldfields kicked off on September 6. The logistical transport challenge started on Saturday when the first parts of the turbines left the Port of Geraldton, destined for Gold Fields’ St Ives mine more than 1000km away. The components had been temporarily stored at Geraldton port since they were unloaded from a Chinese ship last month. People living in and passing through Mid West and Goldfields communities will likely get a glimpse of some of these massive components as they make the journey. The east-south-east journey covering the Geraldton-Mt Magnet Road, Mt Magnet-Leinster Road and Goldfields Highway is being managed by RJA Engineered Transportation. The transport operation will be staggered and will take about two months to complete in total. The first two blades passed through Kalgoorlie-Boulder on September 8. Residents in several rural towns — including Geraldton, Mullewa, Mount Magnet, Paynesville, Sandstone, Leonora, Menzies, Kalgoorlie and Kambalda — are likely to catch a glimpse as the mammoth hardware slowly passes through. The wind turbines — including 21 blades which are each 80m long — are headed to the leading Australian gold producer’s mine to be a major part of its $296 million renewable energy wind and solar project. The cargo weighs upwards of 2000 tonnes, and if each blade — weighing more than 24 tonnes each — was laid end-to-end they would stretch 1.7km. Gold Fields principal specialist and project director Simon Schmid said the route was chosen because the roads were wider, had fewer turns and “obstructions”, and were in generally better condition that alternate, and in some cases shorter, routes. Motorists were advised not to overtake the convoys, which will travel at 40km/h and slower. Trucks will pull over to the side of the road where possible to let traffic pass. Motorists were also advised to remain aware of pilot vehicles, the temporary removal and replacement of roadside furniture obstacles, traffic flushing to relive buildups, static and mobile message signs, and radio comms. Mr Schmid said preparations made under the Under the Transport Management Plan had involved a route survey identifying and removing or modifying obstructions such as traffic lights, poles and roundabouts. He said if a roundabout could not be modified, the trucks would simply drive over the top of them. Commissioning of the project was expected to take place next year. Once operational, the renewable energy system will power more than 70 per cent of St Ives, becoming WA’s largest renewable energy initiative at an existing mine site.