Motorists travelling through the region next week may notice a large industrial transport vehicle moving through parts of east-central Alberta, including a scheduled staging stop near Two Hills.

The load — a de-methanizer pressure vessel used in natural gas processing — will be transported from Edmonton to Fort McMurray beginning Feb. 22.

According to provincial officials, the unit measures approximately 6.5 metres wide, 7.92 metres high and 104 metres long, weighing more than 563,000 kilograms including support equipment. The trailer system carrying the load includes 352 wheels.

The transport will travel below posted speed limits and may use the full width of highways, including shoulders, accompanied by guide vehicles.

The convoy is scheduled to stage at the Two Hills Scale at approximately 6 p.m. on Feb. 23 before continuing northward on its route.

A second oversized load — a purge bin used in the oil and gas industry — will also travel from Edmonton to Fort Saskatchewan on Feb. 24. That unit measures approximately 9.3 metres wide, 10 metres high and 96 metres long, with a total weight exceeding 600,000 kilograms.

Drivers are encouraged to plan ahead and exercise caution when travelling in affected areas.