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What’s inside Intel’s nearly 1 million pound super loads

Aaron Burd and Kristine Varkony

NEW ALBANY, Ohio (WCMH) — Intel has revealed what’s being transported to its Ohio One construction site, as the third nearly 1 million pound super load is expected to delay traffic in several central Ohio communities over the following days.

On Wednesday, the “extra large super load” left from a dock on the Ohio River in Adams County. The Ohio Department of Transportation began moving the super loads in March, with most going to Intel but a few taken to a recycling facility elsewhere in Licking County.


“So far so good,” ODOT press secretary Matt Bruning said. “We haven’t had any major incidents at all. Things have been running smoothly.”

Despite the transportation project starting more than four months ago, details of what’s been inside the super loads have been kept close to the vest. Until this point, it was only known that they were moving air processors, also known as cold boxes.

Now, Intel has revealed what exactly these air processors are used for and how they are necessary to the construction of the semiconductor plant. Intel’s senior construction manager Laura Tenney explained how the equipment works.

“It takes the air that we’re breathing right now and it separates it into three primary gases: oxygen, nitrogen and argon,” Tenney said. “And that is used in the construction and manufacturing process for Intel.”

This super load — the third of four extra large shipments — is carrying another of these cold boxes. Measuring 23 feet tall, 20 feet wide and 280 feet long and weighing in at 916,000 pounds, the super load is scheduled to take seven days to reach New Albany.

The “extra large super loads” measure in at around 23 feet tall, 20 feet wide, 280 feet long, and weighing in at 916,000 pounds. (Courtesy Photo/Ohio Department of Transportation)

Stopping in multiple central Ohio townships and cities during its trip, the super load is expected to continue along the following route, before its arrival Tuesday: