WSDOT maintenance crews in Kennewick finished prepping the construction site for the US 395 – Columbia Drive to SR 240 Rebuild Interchange project.
Four years ago WSDOT purchased and planted trees in the interchange area to beautify the gateway to the community. If left in the same place, the trees would have been destroyed by the construction project. However, removing and replanting trees in a new area near the project site isn’t something crews typically do.
“We moved the trees from the US 395/SR 240 interchange to the north side of the Blue Bridge. We were looking to protect our investment,” said Steve Underwood, South Central Region Maintenance Supervisor.
Thirteen trees including flowering cherry, flowering pear, maple, and red oak, each about seven inches in diameter, and about 20 feet tall, were removed and replanted.
“This work included pre-digging holes where the trees were placed and staked,” said Underwood.
Transplanting these trees keeps them alive and available for the Tri-Cities community to enjoy. Construction of the interchange improvements is set to begin on February 23, 2009.
WSDOT crews removed thirteen trees including flowering cherry, flowering pear, maple, and red oak, each about seven inches in diameter, and about 20 feet tall, were removed and replanted.
WSDOT crews worked 30 hours to remove the trees from the US 395/SR 240 project site to replant on the north side of the Blue Bridge in Kennewick.