By KPSP Local 2 News
A massive 19 foot high nuclear reactor vessel lid was bringing out the crowds Wednesday in the Coachella Valley.
The lid-- which is not radioactive or harmful-- was scheduled to remain parked on Dillon Road in Desert Hot Springs until 7pm Wednesday. At that time it will continue on to its intended destination in Arizona via Dillon Road and eastbound Highway 62.
People from all over the Valley were out taking photos of-- and with-- the 150-ton piece of equipment Wednesday while it was parked.
"This morning it was crazy. We had people lined up along the the streets coming up here taking pictures and hanging on it" said Desert Hot Springs resident Virgina Rivas. "This is history so we are taking pictures for all the grandkids and great grandkids that are not here to see it."
"It's just huge massive" said Millie Mascas also of Desert Hot Springs. "(I've) been waiting to see it since it's been in Fontana - so we've been waiting for this day which is today" Mascas said with a laugh.
The truck left Banning just after 8:00 Tuesday night traveling a pace of only four to five miles per hour but had to stop in Desert Hot Springs as trucking rules prohibit the driver of the load from driving for more than 10 hours at a time.
A crew also went along with the massive truck as it made its way east on the I-10 to help lift power lines and move center dividers where necessary. It traveled down the opposite side of the interstate for a bit to get onto Highway 111 before proceeding through Vista Chino Drive and Gene Autry Trail.
The lid is on its way to the Palo Verde nuclear generating station West of Phoenix.
