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A “super oversize” load began a two-night trek from Jay to South Portland on Tuesday evening and is expected to impact travel along major roadways.

The item being transported is a heat recovery steam generator, the Maine Department of Transportation said in a news release. Such generators are typically used to produce steam power at industrial facilities or power plants.

The nearly 220-foot-long, roughly 20-foot-wide and over 19-foot-high load departed Jay at about 6 p.m. Tuesday, assisted by a convoy of supporting law enforcement, utility crews and other personnel. The gross weight of the transport is over 683,000 pounds.

The convoy will pass through communities in Franklin, Androscoggin, Oxford and Cumberland counties. The proposed route begins on Riley Road and Crash Road in Jay before taking Route 4, Route 117, Route 26, U.S. Route 202, Route 22 and U.S. Route 1 to Broadway and Elm Street in South Portland.

The convoy was to pause in either Oxford or Turner around 6 a.m. Wednesday before continuing its southward journey that evening, according to Maine DOT. It’s scheduled to reach its destination in South Portland by 6 a.m. Thursday.

Residents and businesses along the route are asked to avoid parking on the streets during the planned movement window, because those vehicles could obstruct the convoy. The load takes up the width of two travel lanes.

Rolling road closures and traffic pattern adjustments will be conducted as the convoy moves along its route, the department says, and local public safety departments will help manage intersections in their respective jurisdictions.

Maine DOT says this is the first of nine oversize loads planned along the route, and that the schedule for the remaining eight loads will be released after the first is completed.

The Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Office warned of impacts along Route 4 in Livermore and Turner on Tuesday night.

The Turner Fire and Rescue Department said Route 117 would be closed from 5 p.m. Tuesday to about midnight so that a temporary bridge could be constructed and the convoy could pass through.

The town of Buckfield cautioned its residents to avoid parking along Route 117 on Tuesday evening to allow the convoy to safely pass.

Public safety departments in Auburn asked residents to avoid parking on Washington Street and Route 4 during the movement period, also emphasizing expected traffic impacts on U.S. Route 202 in the area.

The town of Scarborough shared a map of the planned route for the last leg of the journey, which cuts through Gorham and Scarborough. The convoy is expected to move through South Portland between midnight Wednesday and 6 a.m. Thursday, according to the city.

Motorists are encouraged to use caution, follow all posted signage and directions, and seek alternate routes during the travel window.

Editor’s Note: This story was updated Sept. 29 with additional details from Maine DOT and municipalities.