AUBURN — Motorists should expect lengthy traffic delays Wednesday in many parts of Auburn and Lewiston, according to officials.

Liz Allen, director of communications for the city of Auburn, said the first of four large transformers is scheduled to be moved Wednesday through Auburn and into Lewiston.

The effort to move the transformer is expected to begin at 8 a.m.

In Auburn, the transformer is to travel from Rodman Road onto southbound Washington Street, then onto Philomar Street, northbound Washington Street, Minot Avenue, Union Street, Center Street and onto the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Bridge.

Allen said the Lewiston leg of the trip is expected to travel on Russell Street, then onto College Street, Merrill Street and Main Street, to the substation at 1653 Main St.

The effort is expected to take several hours, Allen said, with many road closures along the way.

Motorists should pay attention to alerts and, when possible, choose alternate routes.

“This is an extremely large item, and the convoy will be moving at a ‘walking pace,’” Allen wrote in a statement to the news media. “This will take place 3 more times over the next few weeks as the rest of the transformers are moved from Auburn to their destination. … Delays are expected to be significant.”