Pineville, LA (11/1/2025) – Motorists along the Pineville Expressway and LA 28 East had to look twice this weekend as a massive wind turbine blade, stretching more than a hundred feet, rolled through Central Louisiana. The sight was nothing short of incredible, but what’s even more impressive is the story behind it.
That enormous blade, transported by Jordan Carriers’ Wind Division, wasn’t just another oversize load. It represents a critical link in the national wind energy supply chain, one that runs straight through Rapides Parish.
Based in Central Louisiana
Based in Central Louisiana, Jordan Carriers is one of only about 15 companies in the entire United States capable of hauling wind turbine blades. Their work moves the parts that make renewable energy possible, from the sprawling wind farms of the Midwest to specialized training sites like Holloway, Louisiana, where the latest transport was headed.
The blade being hauled this weekend came from Oklahoma and will serve as a hands-on training tool to help new drivers learn how to manage these enormous, complex loads safely and efficiently. The man behind the wheel was Brandon Leonard, a Pineville resident and dedicated blade hauler for Jordan Carriers, who represents the growing number of Central Louisianans powering one of America’s fastest-growing industries.
UrbanCast spoke with Stacey Belgard, Blade Fleet Supervisor for Jordan Carriers’ Wind Division, and Mark Dryden, Vice President of Jordan Carriers and a Rapides Parish School Board member. Both emphasized the blend of precision, skill, and teamwork that goes into every haul and the impact it has beyond the highways.
“The Wind Division doesn’t just move blades,” Belgard explained. “We transport complete windmill components such as drivetrains and machine heads that come in from overseas through ports in Galveston and Corpus Christi, Texas, and through distribution centers in Pensacola, Florida. From there, we get them where they need to go.”
Roots Are Deeply Local
Dryden added that while the work is large-scale, its roots are deeply local. “Our team is small but mighty,” he said. “We operate with about 20 in-office employees and around 60 drivers in the Wind Division. These are Central Louisiana families, people building careers in a field that’s helping fuel America’s clean energy transition.”
The blade and tractor-trailer combined stretched approximately 225 feet, requiring careful coordination between state troopers, escort vehicles, and logistics teams along the route. Each convoy not only showcases the power of engineering but also underscores how Central Louisiana’s workforce contributes to a cleaner, more connected energy future.
From Rapides Parish to the nation’s wind farms, Jordan Carriers is proving that big work and big opportunity can come from right here at home.
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