Hwy. 20 hazard tree removal near Sisters set to begin

Crews will begin removing more than 2,000 hazard trees near U.S. Highway 20 west of Sisters in late April, the Oregon Department of Transportation announced Monday. The trees were compromised several years ago by use of the herbicide Perspective and need to be removed to ensure public safety in the highway corridor, the agency said.

U.S. Forest Service marking crews will start painting the hazard trees on Monday, April 15. Removal of the hazard trees is expected to begin on Monday, April 29 and continue for about three weeks. Crews removing the trees are under contract with the Forest Service.

ODOT crews will provide traffic control Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.

The Forest Service has identified about 2,100 hazard trees within a 150-foot-wide path on both sides of the highway. Most of the trees will be cut and stacked nearby for use as wood products under guidance from the Oregon Department of Agriculture, ODOT said. Some of the trees will be cut and left in place or topped to provide habitat for wildlife.

Motorists can expect to see equipment and work crews close to the highway and should anticipate delays up to 20 minutes.

The project is scheduled to be completed by May 22.