Major component arrives at Vogtle site - WFXG FOX54 Augusta - Your News One Hour Earlier

Another major component has arrived at Georgia Power's  Vogtle 3 and 4 construction site.

The Unit 3 deaerator was delivered safely on Saturday, after traveling thousands of miles by land, sea and river from South Korea.

The 300-ton deaerator was off loaded at the Port of Savannah, and then traveled up the Savannah River by barge to Georgia Power's Plant McIntosh. From there, it was placed on an oversized transporter for the two-day, 75-mile trip to the site.

Because of the component's size - 148 feet long, nearly 18 feet wide and 19 feet high - utility trucks were positioned at the front and rear of the transporter to lift overhead utility lines along the route. Local law enforcement also provided assistance for traffic control and other logistical needs.

The deaerator functions like a water purifier, eliminating dissolved gases, such as carbon dioxide and oxygen, from feedwater before it gets to a boiler and its pipeline. Deaeration prevents corrosion, helping to reduce plant maintenance and operating costs.

The Vogtle nuclear energy facility is incorporating safety and technology enhancements that improve on the already stellar record of the company's operating facilities. Significant progress continues to be made at the site. Construction is more than one-third complete, and major ongoing activities include work on the Unit 3 nuclear island, the containment vessel assembly, turbine building foundation, cooling tower foundations, raw water intake structure preparation, switchyard modifications and new transmission installation.

The construction of Vogtle 3 and 4 is the largest job-producing project in Georgia, employing approximately 5,000 people during peak construction and creating 800 permanent jobs when the plant begins operating. Once complete, the new units will produce enough electricity to power 500,000 Georgia homes and businesses.

At the site, 750 tons of rebar and 5,800 cubic yards of concrete for the turbine island have been installed; 3,500 tons of rebar and 20,000 cubic yards of concrete for cooling towers have been installed; and the heavy lift derrick which is 560 feet tall and one of the largest cranes in the world, has performed its first lift.