A large piece of equipment is heading across Lancaster County today on its way to Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station.

And it's causing traffic backups along the way.

The 50-ton steam dryer, loaded on a tractor and trailer that's 130 feet long by 21 feet wide, is being escorted by state police as it heads from east to west.

It should reach Peach Bottom early this evening.

The piece that was moved Thursday actually is half of a steam dryer needed at Peach Bottom.

The other half moved across the county Monday, causing similar traffic problems.

The dryer takes all the water out of the steam that's used to power Peach Bottom's generating turbines, according to Lacey Dean, the atomic plant's spokesperson.

The new dryer is part of upgrades planned at the plant this fall, which will allow it to increase its output of electricity.

Here's the route it's taking Thursday:

•Route 23 west to Route 30 west;

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•Route 30 west to Harrisburg Pike;

•Harrisburg Pike to Route 741;

•Route 741 east to Route 272;

•Route 272 south to Route 372;

•Route 372 west to Route 74 in York County;

•Route 74 south to Broad Street in Delta;

•Broad Street south to Lay Street;

•Lay Street east to the plant.