MISSOULA – Two huge loads of oil refinery equipment bound for Billings moved through Missoula early Thursday as protesters tried to impede their progress.
ConocoPhillips spokesman Rich Johnson flew to Missoula from the company’s corporate headquarters in Houston, Texas to watch the overnight move through the city. He called it a success.
The loads, dubbed Lewis and Clark, began moving just before 1 a.m., traveled along Reserve Street and ended about 15 miles away at Interstate 90 at about 3:30 a.m.
Two groups protested the move. The second protest was organized by Northern Rockies Rising Tide and the Missoulian reported two women sat in the street while 100 others stood in the way, halting the first megaload for about 10 minutes. One person was arrested.