After as many 20 police officers -- from Cambridge, Arlington and the state -- discussed the wide load blocking Mass. Ave. eastbound near Henderson Street in East Arlington about noon Thursday, July 28, the tractor trailer was moved to Walgreens lot early Saturday, where it is to be stored until police moved it Wednesday, Aug. 3, a day later than expected.

"The MIT boiler will be moved [Wednesday] evening," Capt. Richard Flynn wrote in response to a request. "Officers from Arlington, State Police, Belmont, and Cambridge will escort the boiler from Walgreens west on Mass. Ave. to Pleasant Street. From there, it will travel outbound on Pleasant Street into Belmont on its way to MIT in Cambridge."

Humor by Kurt Fusaris: "It came from Texas"

Police discuss wide load on Mass. Ave. in East Arlington on July 28.

Plans for delivery Aug. 4 at MIT

Jim Gascoigne of Arlington reported the following, which came from John Engle, MIT Department of Facilities Campus Planning, Engineering and Construction:

On Thursday, Aug. 4, traffic around Albany Street, Cambridge, will be affected by the delivery of a new boiler for MIT's Central Utilities Plant. Although there will be temporary road closures, the Albany Street Garage and North Parking areas (N4 and N10 lots) will be accessible at all times.

The boiler will be delivered early Thursday, Aug. 4. The following streets will be closed in the early morning hours of Aug. 4 to allow the receipt of the boiler:

. Albany Street from Main to Mass. Ave.

. Portland Street from Main to Albany St.

. Osborne from Main to Albany St.

No-parking signs are posted on Portland and Albany Streets and will remain in effect until the completion of the boiler installation. Pedestrian and bicycle travel will be permitted, but will be directed by police details. Parking lot access will ONLY be via the Main Street end of Albany Street.

The boiler is scheduled to arrive at MIT sometime between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m. Thursday. Three cranes will lift the boiler off of the truck and will move it into the new Building N16C. All of the affected roads are expected to be reopened in midafternoon on Thursday.

Drivers are encouraged to use Vassar Street for travel between Main Street and Mass Ave. Both City of Cambridge and MIT Police will be on duty to assist with traffic control.

Earlier reports, beginning July 28

A driver from Texas said the load, a large boiler en route from Abilene to MIT, was stopped after police said the convoy lacked a permit to drive in Somerville, though it had one for Cambridge.

"Miscommunication" is the word Flynn used last week.

Flynn said the trucking company hauling the boiler had planned to take Route 16 to Broadway en route to MIT but had not communicated with the City of Somerville. As a motorcycle escort from Cambridge waited, State Police called Somerville. Its officials put the brakes on.

That left the boiler stranded in Arlington overnight, permitted to remain by Town Manager Brian Sullivan while a plan is worked out. The tractor-trailer has been barricaded off, as shown in the photo at right by Paul Schlichtman, and a town officer is watching it

The police have wrapped it in police-line tape. A couple of pickup trucks are parked behind it, with signs on the door that read "Country Boy Pilot Car," which appears to be registered in Kansas.

Flynn said the load is 156,000 pounds. "I've seen larger, but they usually travel at night," he said.

The wide load came right down Mass. Ave. through Lexington before its lack of complete plans meant unscheduled overnight stays for drivers from Texas.

Police report of July 28, 29

Here is the report of Capt. Flynn, published largely verbatim:

On Thursday, July 28, he responded to the area of Mass. Ave. and Henderson Street to help resolve a traffic issue. At the scene I was informed that a tractor trailer carrying an oversized load was forced to stop prior to making its way into the City of Somerville via the Alewife Brook Parkway (Route 16).

On scene were several representatives from: MIT in Cambridge (which is the destination of the large "boiler"), City of Somerville Department of Public Works, Somerville Police Department, Cambridge Police Department, Massachusetts State Police, Bayside Engineering (Woburn) and Parish Leasing/Hauling (Ellisville Miss.), who were the engineering firm and hauling company hired by MIT to move the equipment. 
 
I was informed by John Engle, Program Manager of the Department of Facilities at MIT, that a permit had been obtained from the state Department of Transportation for the move. It was obvious however that neither the City of Somerville or Town of Arlington had been made aware of this.

I then contacted dispatch and requested Arlington DPW Operations Manager James Dodge and Engineer Wayne Charnard to the scene. Upon arrival, I informed both Dodge and Charnard of the situation. Dodge then quickly deployed personnel to determine if any damage had been done to the roadway or utilities on Mass. Ave. from the Lexington line to Henderson Street. This search turned negative results with no damage found at this time.
 
As time passed and discussions continued between MIT and the City of Somerville, it became clear that a temporary solution was necessary to insure the safe travel of motorists and pedestrians in the area. In conversation with James Dodge and with the approval of the Town Managers Office, it was determined that the tractor trailer would be allowed to park temporarily in the area of 32 Mass. Ave. with the stipulation that MIT and Parish Leasing/Hauling would continue to work on a solution for the move and or a temporary storage location for the tractor trailer.
 
With the assistance of the APD, Parish Leasing/Hauling moved the tractor trailer to the side of road at 32 Mass. Ave. Representatives from MIT and Parish Leasing/Hauling asked the APD for our assistance to provide safe passage in the area while the vehicle remained parked. A safety officer was provided along with traffic barricades, caution tape, and a marked cruiser to insure the safe management of this location.
 
On the morning of Friday, July 29, I met with Don McPherson of Parish Leasing/Hauling and Mike Porcaro the store manager of Walgreens at 324 Mass. Ave. I was informed that an agreement had been made between the two agencies to allow the tractor trailer and the oversized load to be stored in the Walgreens parking lot through the end of the day on Tuesday, Aug. 2.

Arrangements were then made to move the tractor trailer during the a.m. hours (midnight - 4 a.m.) of Saturday, July 30. The Arlington Police Department will assist in this move to ensure the safety of motorists and citizens in the area. A Certificate of Liability Insurance was provided by Parish Leasing/Hauling through the Lancer Insurance Co.
 
About noon Friday, July 29, I had conversation with John Engle the Program Manager for MIT Department of Facilities. He is in full understanding that at this point the tractor trailer will only be allowed to stay on the Walgreens property through Aug. 2.

He stated that meetings are ongoing for a resolution which he hopes to have in place by Monday, Aug. 1. Engle also wanted to thank the Town of Arlington and the APD for our assistance and understanding with this matter.

This story was first reported Thursday, July 28, 2011, and was updated numerous times since as events developed. Paul Schlichtman contributed to this story.