WHAT:          A 638,000 pound machine press entered Georgia via Interstate 20 westbound on Monday and will begin a tactical route to White, Ga. at 7 p.m., Wednesday, July 29. The 250-foot long, 16-foot wide and 14-foot tall rig configuration belongs to Guy M. Turner. Its planned

movement was approved by the Georgia Department of Transportation.

Metro-Atlanta traffic will be slow or even stopped at some points due to the excessive size of the load. Two Georgia State Patrol officers with blue lights and marked cars will be accompanying the load to pace traffic, when so warranted by the traffic control. The mega load will also feature moving message boards warning of traffic interruptions at key bridges and/or intersections. Normal travel speed is 45 mph but slows to 5 mph when crossing certain bridge structures. Narrow bridge locations will require escorts to restrict the passing of other vehicles while the permit vehicle is crossing.

ROUTE:        The mega load will travel on I-20 westbound on Wednesday, July 29. Then the mega load will temporarily suspend travel overnight in Newton County and resume travel at 8 p.m., Thursday, July 30 to its final destination in Bartow County. The carrier will travel on I-20 westbound through Dekalb County and continue on I-75 northbound through Fulton and Cobb counties. The mega load will travel this route due to the size and weight of the machine press, as to avoid all bridge, utilities, and traffic signal clearance issues

WHEN:          The carrier will leave the Columbia Scales off I-20 westbound around 7 p.m., Wednesday, July 29 and will resume travel at 8 p.m., Thursday, July 30. The final destination is Voestalpine Drive in Bartow County.

 CAUTION:    Motorists should exercise extreme caution in its vicinity and follow instructions from the law enforcement escort.