Martinsville-Henry County Economic Development Corporation

RTI press set to hit the road

Jul 12, 2009
By DEBBIE HALL - Bulletin Staff Writer. A massive piece of equipment bound for RTI International Metals in Henry County solidifies the company’s commitment to the local operation, but it may create traffic delays en route.

“This is good news for Martinsville and Henry County,” said Mark Heath, president and CEO of the Martinsville-Henry County Economic Development Corp., of plans to transport a forging press used in making titanium to the company’s facility at Beaver Creek industrial park.

RTI bought the press in Italy, Heath said, adding that he did not know its cost.

Heath said the delivery confirms RTI’s commitment to its $100 million, 150-job titanium operation under construction in Henry County and puts the company on track for a mid-2010 projected opening.

“This is real. This is happening and it is going to benefit Martinsville and Henry County,” Heath said.

An oversized tractor-trailer will haul parts of the press from the Newport News Marine Terminal to the RTI facilities in the Patriot Centre in three trips, according to Heath and a Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) release.

Each trip, about 300 miles in each direction, is expected to take two to three days, according to Heath and the release.

The first transport is scheduled to begin Monday and run through Wednesday; a second begins Tuesday through Thursday, and the final trip will be July 21 through July 23, VDOT stated.

Haulers will be on the roads between 6:30 p.m. and 6:30 a.m., and they will make pre-determined stops along the route, according to VDOT.

The tractor-trailers are 225 feet long and 16 feet, 5 inches wide, according to Heath and VDOT. They are about the size of three normal tractor-trailers and have a combined gross weight of up to 551,000 pounds, they said.

Officials warn that traffic delays are possible during the moves. At various intervals along the route, bridges will be shut down to other traffic and “there are actually some electric power lines that will have to be taken down” to make way for the haulers, according to Heath and VDOT.

VDOT and the state Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) coordinated with Miller Transfer — the company hauling the press — to develop a roundabout route that will minimize the impact on traffic, local businesses and residents, according to the VDOT release and local officials.

After leaving the terminal in Newport News, haulers will travel through Hampton Roads, Richmond, Charlottesville, Lynchburg and other areas.

The route will continue through Danville to U.S. 29 business south, to the U.S. 58 bypass and then U.S. 58 west, VDOT stated.

The route will include a portion of U.S. 220 as the press makes its way to Virginia 174 (Kings Mountain Road) in Henry County, according to VDOT’s release.

VDOT will place message signs along the route to advise drivers of potential traffic delays. Maintenance vehicles as well as state and local law enforcement will accompany the haulers to help with traffic control, according to the release.

Initially, the press will be housed in the shell building on RTI’s property in the Patriot Centre, Heath said. Eventually, it will be moved into a new building that is being constructed on the property.

Information about the transport operation will be posted on the state’s travel information system that can be accessed by dialing 511 on any phone in Virginia and on the Web site www.511Virginia.org.