SC&RA Job of the Year: Module Mania

QSL Transport (formerly Transport Watson) hauled 51 oversized piping rack modules 13.6 miles in an operation that had to be conducted at nighttime and represented several unparalleled challenges due to the winter season, the extreme dimensions of the modules and a narrow route that presented huge challenges. The largest modules measured 148 by 20 by 21 feet.

The QSL Transport team faced immense challenges posed by the terrain, weather and route logistics. Every module was delivered safely, efficiently and without incident.

Due to 975 low power lines, the most direct route was not viable. Thus, the team engineered a custom route through narrow country roads. The trailer configuration had to be adjusted, tight turns had to be navigated, electrical poles replaced, and roads reinforced.

“The route required extensive modifications to accommodate the oversized loads weighing as much as 220,000 pounds,” said QSL Transport’s Emeric Doutriaux. “This included navigating 150 power lines that required adjustments, relocating 10 electrical poles, reinforcing roads with steel plates to support the extreme weight and executing controlled reverse driving maneuvers over hundreds of meters to navigate tight turns.”

Rigorous preparation

The execution of this project required six months of rigorous preparation. A comprehensive Traffic Management Plan (TMP) was developed to coordinate 15 full road closures while ensuring minimal disruption. Hundreds of man-hours were dedicated to stakeholder coordination, including meetings with city councils, engineering firms and transport specialists to ensure a smooth operation.

The modules were of an immense scale, with the largest module measuring 75.4 feet by 17.8 feet by 15.5 feet and the heaviest module weighing 151,214 pounds. The custom-configured multi-axle trailers were designed to comply with strict municipal axle weight restrictions of 10,000 pounds per axle.

The transport team also had to manage controlled reverse driving maneuvers to accommodate the oversized loads. This project required six months of thorough preparation before execution. The first task was securing regulatory approvals from the municipal council, engineering assessments to strengthen certain road sections with steel plates and partnering with Hydro Québec to prevent power outages.

The Traffic Management Plan was critical to the success of the project. Separate teams for loading and transport were organized since the cargo had to be loaded on the same day as the night-time journey. A speed limit of 6 mph was enforced, and white lighting systems were installed for better visibility. Load runners cleared power lines, and real-time tracking systems enabled emergency coordination. The QSL Transport team worked with Hydro-Québec to relocate 10 electrical poles.

From October to December 2024, 40 oversized piping rack modules were transported at night, twice a week for seven weeks. Each convoy, consisting of three trucks, was supported by a team of safety personnel, including two police escorts, six private road escorts and six bucket trucks to lift overhead power lines.

“Through precise engineering, strategic coordination and an unwavering commitment to safety, we successfully delivered all 51 piping rack modules on time and without any negative impact on employees, the community or the environment,” said Doutriaux. “This project stands as a testament to our expertise in handling complex logistics, reinforcing our reputation for executing high-stakes, oversized cargo transport with excellence.”