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Posted: December 6, 2011

What's that rocket-shaped thing on the side of I-540?

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Raleigh, N.C. — What weighs 150 tons, is more than 125 feet long and sits on the side of Interstate 540 near U.S. Highway 64 in Raleigh?

Slideshow     chemical reactor vessel Photos of the chemical reactor vessel

The North Carolina State Highway Patrol says the rocket-shaped thing, which created a lot of buzz among drivers Tuesday, is a stainless steel pressurized chemical reactor vessel that was being transported from Winterville on Monday when some of the tires on the truck carrying it were flattened.

Jon Yuhas, risk manager for Winterville-based The Roberts Company, said the empty vessel is en route to a chemical plant under construction in Tennessee, but he could not comment on where because of proprietary restrictions.

The Highway Patrol, which is escorting the truck through North Carolina, says the company has a permit to transport the vessel.

The truck's expected to be back on the road by Wednesday.

RELATED TOPICS: Raleigh, North Carolina Highway Patrol

Copyright 2011 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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56 Comments


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Latest Comments
I don't know. What is that rocket-shaped thing on I-540?!?
Click to view my profile Dixiecrat
December 8, 2011 8:31 a.m.
Someone should just do a Public Records Information Request, since obviously NCSHP must be getting paid to have to escort, and then share with us everything they learn.

BTW - I just do not see this thing making through the highways in the NC mountains......
Click to view my profile TooMuchDrama
December 7, 2011 12:52 p.m.
OMG! I was so wondering what that thing was. I've only seen at night traveling home on the opposite side of the road, however it still catches your eye b/c it's so big. The first time I saw it at first glance it was looking like cargo from a train, so I was really startled and confused. I'm glad I can now see what it is via picture. Yes they definitely need to move this ASAP.
jamesgirl
December 7, 2011 12:06 p.m.
my guess would be fractional distillation column for coal mass gasification usage... Mike

You are way off dude. Its going to a secret location in Tennessee. It's obviously for making meth.
godnessgracious2
December 7, 2011 11:09 a.m.
As of about 11pm last night (Tues), they'd managed to move it up onto the 64Business ramp off of 264 altogether and had cops sitting all around it with flashing blue lights. Don't know if it's still there this morning, but dang that thing was BIG.
gabi
December 7, 2011 11:09 a.m.
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