A gigantic lid for a nuclear reactor is scheduled to be trundled down Banning streets late tonight, then move toward Palm Springs on the wrong side of Interstate 10 in the wee hours Friday.

The 150-ton lid bound for the Palo Verde nuclear plant near Phoenix will be moved by an equally gargantuan rig from Bigge Crane and Rigging Co., which took charge of the piece at the Port of Long Beach.

The load, which is being escorted by the California Highway Patrol, is scheduled to leave Banning at 9:30 p.m. tonight and make its way toward Palm Springs on Interstate 10.

The transport vehicle, which can only go about 5 mph, will travel down the wrong side of Interstate 10 just west of the Highway 111 eastbound onramp for about 30 minutes.

Traffic will be diverted while the wide load is on the freeway.

Traffic will also be detoured as the vehicle travels along Snow Creek, Racquet Club Drive, Farrell Drive, Vista Chino and Gene Autry Trial, where it will make its way back onto the interstate and continue along state Route 62.

Because of its height, it will cross the centerline at each traffic signal along the route to avoid hitting traffic signals. Some surface streets may have to be closed temporarily.

The CHP hopes to park the load about 20 miles east of Twentynine Palms later Friday morning, but the schedule is subject to delays.

This is the second of three lids being taken to Arizona, according to the Bigge Crane and Rigging Co.