BOISE -- An oversized ConocoPhillips truck carrying tons of equipment has completed the first leg of its four day trip along Highway 12 in north Idaho on its way to an oil refinery in Billings, Mont.
These trucks are carrying half of a 300-ton empty drum. The loads have been waiting for the green light after the Idaho Transportation Department debated the safety of their transfer for months.
The megaloads, as they're called, are being criticized by some who believe they could damage the road and potential harm the federally protected land.
Wednesday, a group of protesters met on the steps of the state Capitol to make their voices heard.
"We want Governor Otter to put the brakes on the megaloads until a meaningful social, economic, and environmental assessment can be done," said Greg Stahl with the Idaho Rivers United.
The protesters are mainly concerned about the route these trucks travel. The route along the scenic Highway 12 from Port Lewiston through north Idaho is a winding stretch of road that travels through some federally protected areas.
"It's a narrow highway, it's a small highway, it runs along the Lochsa River. What's going to happen if one of these loads ditches?" said protester Sharon Potter.
"With your help we're asking Governor Otter to instruct Idaho Transportation Department to listen to the concerns of the Idahoans like you guys -- and look at this, the hundreds of Idaho citizens written to Governor Otter just in the past two days," said Stahl.
Protesters filed into the Statehouse Wednesday afternoon to deliver more than 100 letters of opposition to Gov. Otter's office.
"It's real unfortunate that they got permitted, we don't think that megaloads of that gargantuan size fit with the river corridor, we don't think they enhance the values of the wild scenic rivers," said Bill Sedivy, executive director of Idaho Rivers United.
A spokesperson for the Idaho Transportation Department says they took many steps to ensure an efficient and safe trip for the megaload trucks.
The protesters are now focusing their attention on stopping 200 proposed shipments from Exxon Mobil through the same area to Canada.
