Components for Scout Clean Energy’s Nimbus Project — an industrial wind energy development near Green Forest — began arriving in Carroll County last week.
Despite some traffic interruptions, both Carroll County Sheriff Daniel Klatt and and Green Forest police chief John Bailey said the influx of trucks carrying the components to the Nimbus site has gone relatively smoothly.
“They have brought in their own traffic control. They are using extra escorts,” Klatt said. “For what it is, I feel like they’re doing everything they can to make it as expeditious as possible.”
Klatt said Scout officials are working with the Green Forest School District to minimize the effect on school traffic.
“The other day we had a funeral and they shut down all loads until after the funeral was over so they didn’t interrupt the procession,” Klatt said.
Bailey said Green Forest police have worked to get the trucks delivering the components through town smoothly so as not to interfere with traffic.
“We try to bring them right through town,” Bailey said. “We help them through the intersections so that we’re not creating a distraction for everybody and just trying to get them right on out to (Arkansas Highway) 103 where they can turn south and get up there on the mountain.”
Bailey said there had been no traffic accidents related to the turbine components being hauled through Green Forest.
“Not at all,” Bailey said. “Knock on wood, it’s been very smooth for us.”
Mark Wengierski, Scout’s vice president of East Region development, said delivery of the turbine components will last for about six weeks.
“With turbine components arriving that means the civil work including access roads, and turbine foundations is nearly complete,” Wengierski said by email. “As the towers, nacelles, and blades are delivered they will be assembled and erected at the individual turbine sites.”
Traffic was stalled near Alpena on Tuesday, Aug. 5, after a truck delivering turbine components clipped a highway sign. Klatt said there were no injuries.
“All it was, was he got too close to the sign,” Klatt said. “A semi came down the hill as he was going up the hill and he had to move over because obviously they both wouldn’t fit. It really didn’t cause any damage to the sign. It barely even scratched the paint. We did have to yank the sign over so he could pull up and out of there. And that did cause some traffic problems. But they brought in extra crews now to get through Alpena faster. They’re shutting down both sides, letting them run through there and then opening it back up.”
“Our top priority is always the safety of the public as we construct the project, including transportation of turbine components,” Wengierski said by email. “We continue to work with local EMS and the Town of Green Forest to minimize impacts to the community while ensuring we are following all proper transportation protocols. The Nimbus team appreciates everyone’s patience throughout the process.”
