4th Street in Duluth Closed for Removal of Trees
County Says It's Necessary, Locals are Sad to See the Trees Go
Chainsaws were roaring and roads were closed for the removal of trees on 4th street Wednesday, but some people are sad to see the beloved trees go.
The trees are being removed in preparation for next year’s major reconstruction of 4th street and the utilities beneath it.
The project comes earlier than expected due to the Long Eared Bats, who make homes out of the trees, receiving protection as a threatened species under the Endangered Species act. The trees must be removed before April 1st, before the bats come back.
The project being bumped up to an earlier date created extra road closures
But that’s not the only problem. The trees on 4th street are loved by the community.
However, St. Louis county officials said the new construction project is a necessity for the city.
They said every year there are at least a dozen breaks in the water main, and the completion of the construction will stop that from happening for a long time.
The County also said there are plans to plant almost double the number of trees on the streets than what they had previously.
One 4th street resident said the tree in front of her house has been there for over 50 years.
