First look: Mako coaster track on the move to SeaWorld Orlando

The first piece of SeaWorld's newest roller coaster has hit the road on a nearly 1,000-mile ride on board a flatbed semi-truck bound for Orlando.

SeaWorld said the first piece of track for Mako, slated to open in the summer of 2016, left its production facility in Ohio on Monday.

The giant piece of deep indigo and ocean blue coaster track is expected to travel through Cincinnati; Lexington, Kentucky; Knoxville, Tennessee and Atlanta on its way down to Orlando. SeaWorld encouraged fans in those areas and along the 1,000-mile route to keep their eyes peeled for the first piece of Mako on back of a flatbed truck plastered with stickers with the hashtag #MakoSighting.

Mako is set to become Orlando's tallest (200 feet), fastest (73 mph) and longest (4,760 feet) roller coaster when it opens, though it will eventually be eclipsed by the 500-foot SkyScraper planned on International Drive in 2017.

• IN DEPTH: SEAWORLD'S MAKO
  • SeaWorld unveils Mako, new 200-foot-tall coaster opening 2016
  • How SeaWorld's Mako measures up to other Orlando coasters

Mako will be the centerpiece of a new shark-themed realm being built on 2 acres at SeaWorld Orlando.

Mako concept art

(SeaWorld Orlando)

(SeaWorld Orlando)

(SeaWorld Orlando)