Barnhart Wins SC&RA Hauling Job of the Year

Barnhart won Hauling Job of the Year in the greater than 360,000-pound category at the SC&RA awards last weekend. The award recognized Barnhart’s transport of three critical power generation components from the Port of Duluth, Minnesota, to Wolverine, Saskatchewan, Canada.

The cargo included a 403,442-pound LP turbine measuring 27 ft. 9 in. long, 19 ft. 9 in. wide, and 16 ft. 7 in. tall; a 345,133-pound generator measuring more than 31 ft. long; and an 89,066-pound HP turbine. Barnhart received all three units directly from ship’s gear at the port. The largest loaded configuration measured 260 ft. 7 in, long, 24 ft. 11 in. wide, and 19 ft. tall.

The scope required coordination across more than 60 subcontractors, 42 utility companies, four police jurisdictions, and 13 permitting authorities across multiple states and into Canada. The team hauled the components approximately 2,000 miles over the road and across the international border to the final destination.

Stakes and Challenges

The stakes were high from the start. When Barnhart received the cargo, the customer’s liquidated damages clock was already ticking, with only 18 days before penalties began. A move of this scale can be completed in that timeframe with strong planning, but in this case, every step had to be executed with precision. Subcontractors were scheduled not just by the day, but by the hour.

The challenges began from the outset. In Duluth, the team navigated city streets with 23 overhead signal lights that could not be moved. In Montana, difficult terrain tested the route plan. Equipment issues occurred along the way, but contingency equipment had been staged in advance, allowing the move to continue without delay.

At the Canadian border, the team transitioned to Canadian-certified escorts and brought equipment into compliance with Canadian regulations. They then continued toward one of the route’s most difficult obstacles: the Bethune Valley. To safely manage the steep grade, Barnhart partnered with a local farming commune and hired tractors to assist the move.

Throughout the route, tight turns, narrow passages, and limited clearances made conventional transport equipment impractical. Barnhart’s GS800 Girder Frame Trailer provided the maneuverability needed to navigate obstacles, avoid costly detours, reduce permitting complications, and keep the project on schedule. The GS800 did not just make the job easier. It made the job possible.

Safety was built into every mile. With the largest load nearly 25 feet wide, Barnhart used additional escorts beyond what was legally required. Escorts ran miles ahead, warned oncoming traffic, and helped clear vehicles from the roadway when needed.

The result: zero incidents, zero accidents, and zero DOT violations across 2,000 miles. Plus, an award-winning project.