A truck and trailer carrying the massive transformer destined for the New England Clean Energy Connect converter station in Lewiston make the turn from Twin Road onto Rodman Road in Auburn just before 11 p.m. on Thursday night. The trailer, equipped with 18 axles that each can turn five degrees, allows the lengthy vehicle to navigate corners. Andree Kehn/Sun Journal

AUBURN — Moving at no more than a walking pace, the first of four giant transformers destined for an electricity converter station off outer Main Street in Lewiston was slowly moved Thursday night from Rodman Road to its new location.

It’s not known how long the almost 11-mile route mapped for the trip could take, but officials said it could take until daylight Friday to complete. The move was scheduled during the night to minimize traffic congestion.

The transformer is 31.5 feet long, nearly 13 feet wide, and over 15 feet tall. It weighs 575,407 pounds.

The overall length of the truck and trailer hauling the transformer is over 152 feet, while the gross vehicle weight of the transformer, truck and trailer is close to 821,000 pounds, officials said.

The transformer and three more destined for the Main Street site will be used at the New England Clean Energy Connect converter station to convert direct current coming from Canada to alternating current and send it on its way to Massachusetts.

This is the route the transformer was expected to take Thursday night: In Auburn, from Rodman Road to Washington Street South, Philomar Street, Washington Street North, Minot Avenue, Union Street, Center Street and onto the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Bridge to Lewiston. In Lewiston, from the bridge to Russell Street, College Street, and Merrill Road to 1653 Main St. Temporary road closures were expected to take place along the route in both cities.

Lineworkers prop up utility lines crossing Rodman Road in Auburn just before 11 p.m. Thursday night  as a transformer destined for the New England Clean Energy Connect converter station in Lewiston passes underneath. The transformer was accompanied by several escort vehicles, along with walkers serving as spotters to ensure any obstacles were safely circumvented. Andree Kehn/Sun Journal