CT DOT Tree Work

In the past few years you have probably noticed a major operation to cut back vegetation and remove trees from the sides of Connecticut highways. Many people have contacted my office to share their concerns and ask questions about the work.  In response to those inquiries I reached out to the Connecticut DOT for clarification; their (shortened/paraphrased) response is below.

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT) is responsible for the maintenance of all state-owned roads and highways and its primary mission is to keep the infrastructure safe for motorists.

One of the Department’s responsibilities is to prune, trim or remove dead, dying, decaying or otherwise compromised trees and vegetation in the state highway right-of-way, abutting the road shoulder area and center-median of highways and ramps.

The Department employs tree wardens in each of their four district offices who take direction from a State Licensed Arborist. These employees are versed in identifying potentially hazardous trees and establishing tree management priorities along state roadways.

DOT has made reestablishing a “clear zone” – an unobstructed area beyond the edge of pavement that provides an unencumbered, impact-free buffer for errant vehicles that unintentionally leave the roadway – along high speed roadways a priority. The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO)  “Guidelines for Vegetation Management” published in 2011 considers a tree with a trunk greater than 4” in diameter as a hazardous fixed object. The AASHTO specification for a clear zone on major highways with design speeds of 60 mph for a flat, level terrain on a straight section of highway is 30 to 32 feet.

Between 2012 to 2014, there were more than 7,800 motor vehicle incidents involving tree strikes statewide, resulting in 147 fatalities. While most of the incidents involved motor vehicles leaving the highway, more than 560 were due to trees falling onto the travel portion of the highways.

CTDOT district supervisors routinely inspect and refer trees of concern to be evaluated to determine if they pose a potential hazard to the traveling public. Scheduled tree work also includes trees and brush that obscure lines-of-sight or have the potential to fall onto the state roadways.

Removal of trees overhanging the roadway also increases sunlight onto road surfaces, which in turn, raises pavement temperatures. During winter storms, this increase in road surface temperatures helps to accelerate improved road conditions, reduce labor and equipment costs, as well as the amount of winter deicing materials.

Currently the state of Connecticut is also experiencing a “statewide tree mortality issue” because of several years of drought conditions, emerald ash borer (EAB) infestations in our ash trees and gypsy moth attacks on our oak trees.   The Department is actively removing dead, decayed trees with state forces and contractor services.  In most instances, the decay in our ash and oak trees is so extensive that removal of such trees requires specialized equipment such as feller bunchers, elevator buckets and crane units, and material handler/grapple saw units.

For more information about CTDOT’s Vegetation Management Plan please click here.