Consumers Energy will have an oversized transformer moved through several miles on the northeast side of the city on Thursday morning, and drivers should avoid the route.
The very large vehicle moving the transformer will move very slowly – 5-8mph. The multiple vehicles in this procession will start at the north end of Raymond Road, near the rail yard, at about 8 a.m. Thursday. At such a slow speed, moving through this route will take about three hours:
- South on Raymond Road to Emmett Street
- West on Emmett Street to Capital Avenue NE/M-66
- North on Capital NE to Morgan Road
- West on Morgan to East Avenue N
- North on East Avenue to the Consumers substation in Pennfield Township
Battle Creek Police will temporarily close the Emmett Street bridge over the Battle Creek River when the oversized load crosses, to ensure traffic doesn’t exceed the bridge’s weight limit. We expect this will happen sometime between 8-9:30 a.m.
Traffic signals will operate normally during this time, so drivers should use extra care when they see the oversized load moving through.
Utility trucks will be moving along with the oversized load, in the center turn lanes. Because the transformer is so tall – about 20 feet – utility workers will lift wires along the route so the oversized load truck can move underneath them.
Battle Creek Transit’s 4N – NE Capital bus route will run on a detour from about 7:45-10:15 a.m., pending the transformer moving through the area as expected. Please see the detour details below.
Please avoid this route. If you must drive it, please use caution and patience. Cars moving in the same direction will not be able to pass the oversized load procession. Cars moving in the opposite direction should not be affected.
BCT 4N-NE Capital bus route detour:
Outbound
NE Capital to East Avenue
Left on East Avenue
East Avenue to J. Bartlett Drive
Right on J. Bartlett
Left on NE Capital to service Family Fare
Inbound
NE Capital to J. Bartlett Drive
Right on J. Bartlett
J. Bartlett to East Avenue
Left on East Avenue
East Avenue to NE Capital
Right on NE Capital (back on route)
The bus will not service stops on NE Capital between East Avenue and Family Fare during this detour. We encourage riders who typically use these stops to instead use the stops on NE Capital at East Avenue, or at Family Fare.
The 4N-NE Capital bus will service the bus stops that are along East Avenue, both inbound and outbound.
Transit staff can help you navigate this detour or plan your trip generally. Please call Transit dispatch at 269-966-3474.