Hazard trees removed from highways

SANDPOINT — Operators with the Idaho Transportation Department have spent over 3,000 hours clearing hazard trees from more than 12 miles of highways in the Panhandle this summer.  

“In 2023 we initiated a statewide roadside tree assessment and enhanced removal plans to understand the scope of work to expand our ability to address Idaho highway hazards," confirms ITD Chief Deputy Director Dan McElhinney. “Working with federal partners and local owners, we have taken the lead in clearing highway-adjacent hazard trees for improving errant driver safety recovery zones, wildlife visibility, and fire protection widths by using innovative new cutting equipment resources for ITD employees. We're also adding contracts with local firms to tackle larger removal projects with ITD during the next few years.”

This summer alone ITD maintenance operators addressed a five-mile stretch of Highway 5 near Heyburn State Park, roughly four miles of Highway 54 between Athol and Farragut State Park, a three-mile stretch of Highway 97, multiple zones adjacent to Interstate 90 and several emergency tree removals across Highway 57 after falls across the roadway.

Next year the department plans to work with the Priest River Ranger District to clear all 37 miles along Highway 57. Besides making the road safer for travelers, tree removal is also heavily supported from the perspective of the U.S. Forest Service as a fire break through this densely wooded area between Priest River and Priest Lake.    

This year, staff in North Idaho were also able to test out several new machines to best utilize funding for equipment. One operation planned for two days along Interstate 90 was completed in just four hours with the use of an FAE Forestry Mulcher. The mulcher not only grinds downed trees to eliminate the cost and work of waste removal but also can cut and fall trees up to 18 inches in diameter which represent the vast majority of trees within the roadway clear zone. With the help of its cutting and falling capabilities, this single-operator mulcher also enhances safety by eliminating the need for sawyers to work on the ground within the fall zone.

ITD plans to continue its focus on tree removal along highways by working with agency and utility partners, dedicating staff time to this effort, and purchasing new equipment to make operations safer and more efficient.