Turbine makes journey to Point Lepreau

Traffic around the Saint John area was held up Sunday morning as the first of two massive turbines started its slow creep towards the Point Lepreau nuclear generating station.

A 130 tonne turbine rotor secured to a 60 metre tractor-trailer the longest allowed in New Brunswickstarted its trip around 7 a.m.,travelling in the wrong lanefor part of the journey.

It took a year to get all the permits lined up for the trip. The turbines arrived in port in August.

This voyage wouldn't have been necessary if two turbines hadnt plunged into the Saint John harbour in 2008. Although the dunked turbines were salvaged and are currently in use, officials feared they would not be able to perform for the full27-year life of the refurbishednuclear plant and should be replaced.

People lined the streetssome sipping coffee, others taking photosto watch the turbine roll down Highway 1.

The second turbine rotor,scheduled to be moved on Jan. 26, weather permitting, is expected tocause similar interruptions.