Motorists warned of traffic delays as superload carrying Australia's largest battery project passes through the Riverina

Temporary traffic conditions will be in place this week on the Hume Highway between Albury and Goulburn to accommodate a 477-tonne superload. Photo: Roger Knight/Another Dimension.

Motorists are advised there will be traffic disruptions on the Hume Highway as a colossal 477-tonne superload carrying a large power transformer passes through the region.

The second of the three power transformers will help deliver the NSW Government’s Waratah Super Battery project, which is set to provide major centres such as Wollongong, Sydney and Newcastle with access to more energy from existing generators.

The Waratah Super Battery -850 MW and 1680 MWh- is set to be the biggest in the Southern Hemisphere and one of the largest of its type in the world.

The super battery at Munmorah Power Station on the Central Coast is designed to act as a giant grid ”shock absorber” in the event of sudden power surges.

The former Munmorah coal-fired power station is capable of providing a guaranteed continuous active power capacity of at least 700 MW and a guaranteed usable energy storage capacity of at least 1400 MWh. The grid is scheduled for connection in 2025.

The superload journey began in Melbourne and is en route to the Central Coast. Photos: Roger Knight/Another Dimension.

An aerial view of the superload crossing multiple lanes.

Temporary traffic conditions will be in place this week on the Hume Highway between Albury and Goulburn.

The superload travelling through Melbourne.

A superload is a vehicle and load with a gross vehicle mass of 250 tonnes or more.

Locals gather on the streets of Melbourne to watch the superload.

The superload departed the Wilson Transformer Company in Melbourne on 4 May and will arrive at its Central Coast destination, the Munmorah Power Station, on 13 May.

Due to the size and scale of the oversized and overmass (OSOM) load – 125 metres long and 5.8 metres wide – the superload will travel at a significantly reduced speed of up to 40 km/h.

While travelling over bridges or around corners, it will slow to 5 km/h.

The superload will travel between 10 pm and 5 am to reduce traffic disruptions.

Motorists will have opportunities to pass the superload under supervision and are advised to plan their journey and allow extra travel time as there will be delays.

Drivers are urged to slow down and exercise caution when approaching or passing the OSOM load, which will be travelling under escort.

Superload route

Wednesday, 8 May – Thursday, 9 May – Albury to Coolac.

Thursday, 9 May – Friday, 10 May – Coolac to Goulburn.

Friday, 10 May – Saturday, 11 May– Goulburn to Campbelltown.

For the latest traffic updates, visit Live Traffic NSW, download the Live Traffic NSW App, or call 132 701.