3/11/2013
ITD schedules removal of hazardous trees along U.S. 95 south of Lewiston
LEWISTON - A safety project to remove trees in the U.S. 95 right of way south of Lewiston will begin Monday (March 18), the Idaho Transportation Department announced.
The trees line U.S. 95 between mileposts 291 and 297 north of Culdesac and constitute a hazard to motorists. Many are within three or four feet of the highway. Because of the relatively flat highway shoulders, the trees are a serious threat to motorists, explains ITD Operations Manager Doral Hoff.
“Their proximity to the highway gives drivers little room for error. Typically, we need a clear zone of about 30 feet to give drivers enough time and space to respond safely if their vehicle runs off the road.”
In the past 10 years, 14 crashes involving trees occurred in the highway corridor, two of which resulted in fatalities. Eight others led passenger injuries, and four resulted in property damage.
“Our primary responsibility is to ensure the safest driving conditions possible on our highways, and removing the hazardous trees will significantly reduce the risks for motorists,” he added.
The trees along U.S. 95 also limit the amount of sunlight and natural warming in the winter when snow and ice are common on the highway.
William H. Bundy, a local rancher, former Lapwai school administrator and Idaho legislator, transplanted the trees from nearby Craig Mountain in the 1940s and 1950s. The evergreens are predominately ponderosa pine, Douglas fir and spruce.
Last fall, ITD notified elected officials and leaders from the Nez Perce Tribe and Bundy descendants of its plans to remove the trees and received general concurrence.
ITD contracted with Henderson Logging of Lewiston to remove approximately 160 trees from both sides of the highway. Trees will be cut using a “faller/buncher” that pinches the trunks close to the ground.
They will be chipped and transported by Jack Buell Trucking of Moscow to the Clearwater Paper Mill in Lewiston. The trees have little commercial value as lumber because of the number of knots but a number of suitable trees will be used for firewood to people in need.
Crews will work during daylight hours, beginning about 6:30 a.m. (PST) and continue until nearly dusk. The project could be completed as early as Friday (March 22), but could extend into the following week if necessary.