500 trees along I-5 will be removed for cameras

Mar 16, 2014, 12:37 PM | Updated: 12:42 pm

TACOMA, Wash. (AP) — Around 500 trees along Interstate 5 between Lakewood and Lacey will be removed to improve sight lines of new state traffic cameras.

The Tacoma News Tribune reports Sunday that seven closed-circuit TV cameras will be installed along 14 miles of I-5. The trees will be removed starting March 24 and continue for three weeks. The Department of Transportation says all the trees are in the department’s right of way.

The department says the stream of live images from the cameras will help it manage traffic and communicate real-time traffic conditions to the public.

DOT landscape architect Ed Winkley says most of the trees bookmarked for removal are Douglas firs, 4 inches to 2 feet in diameter. He adds some cottonwoods and shore pines also will be cut down.

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