Up to 360 trees will need to be removed from both sides of the Willamette River to accommodate a new Interstate 5 bridge, reports Andrea Damewood of The Register-Guard. The Oregon Department of Transportation says many of the trees are nonnative, and plans to improve the area by planting two native trees in place of each one it cuts down. Residents worry the lack of trees in certain areas will remove the visual and sound barrier between I-5 and nearby nature areas, especially because it would take years for new trees to mature. Construction is scheduled to begin next week and finish in 2012.
– Emily Linroth
