According to the Idaho Transportation Department, more than 12 miles of highway in several areas in northern Idaho were cleared of hazard trees this summer. Hazard trees pose a threat to traffic safety because they can fall over or onto the roadway due to structural defects.

According to a news release from the Idaho Transportation Department, hazardous trees were removed along a roughly 4-mile stretch along State Highway 54 between Athol and Farragut State Park, a 3-mile stretch along State Highway 97 and “several zones adjacent to I-90” in Kootenai County. Several emergency tree removals along State Highway 57 in Bonner County were also necessary after debris fell onto the roadway.

“In 2023, we have initiated a statewide roadside tree assessment and enhanced removal plans to understand the scope of work and expand our ability to remove hazards on Idaho’s highways,” said Dan McElhinney, ITD deputy director. “Working with federal partners and local property owners, we have taken the lead in removing highway hazard trees to improve recovery zones for errant driver safety, wildlife visibility, and fire break widths by deploying innovative new felling equipment to ITD employees. We are also contracting with local firms to tackle larger removal projects with ITD over the next few years.”

Next year, the Idaho Transportation Department plans to partner with the Priest River Ranger District to clear 37 miles along State Highway 57 in Bonner County.

“The tree removal is strongly supported by the US Forest Service as it creates a firebreak through this densely forested area between the Priest River and Priest Lake,” the press release states. The project will also improve road safety for motorists.