Two-Year Project Starting to Tackle Highly Invasive Species

(September 28, 2016) – Continuing its efforts to improve safety, the Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA) is beginning a $3.5 million project to combat woody, vine and herbaceous vegetation along I-95 in Howard County. The two-phase project includes eradication of invasive plants and reestablishment of native Maryland meadows. Weather permitting, the Phase I of the project will be complete spring 2018.

“Motorists who travel on I-95 regularly will see the vegetation begin to turn brown.  Crews will treat highly invasive plant species that have overtaken grassy areas over the past 15 years or so,” said SHA Director of Environmental Design Sonal Ram.  “If left unattended, these vines and trees will start to impact traveler safety.”

Invasive and noxious invasive species create critical safety hazards including reduced sight distance for motorists and obscuring road signs that motorists depend on for direction.  Invasive vines such as Porcelain berry, grow rapidly and can quickly envelope a native tree, blocking sunlight necessary for its growth, which will kill the tree over time and create a tree fall hazard.  Invasive trees also affect storm water management systems and can cause roadside flooding.

Several species of invasive trees and vines have been targeted in this project including Tree-of Heaven, Callery/Bradford Pear, Porcelain berry, kudzu and many others.  These invasive trees and vines overtake native species and become difficult to control.  During the reestablishment phase, crews will encourage the natural growth of native species, some of which are critical in attracting valuable pollinators.  To learn more about invasive species in Maryland, click here.

SHA’s contractor, A. Marquez Trucking, Inc. of Silver Spring, will work on SHA roadsides, medians and interchanges.  Although work will largely be out of travel lanes, SHA will close shoulders during the project for the safety of motorists and contracting crews.

Similar projects are underway in Anne Arundel County on roadsides, medians and interchanges along US 50 (John Hanson Highway) between the Prince George’s County line and I-97, and I-97 between MD 32 and US 50.  Contracting crews are also working on eradicating and reestablishing native Maryland species along I-495 (Capital Beltway) between the Prince George’s County line and the Maryland/Virginia line near the American Legion Bridge across the Potomac River.  On the Baltimore Beltway (I-695) between the Anne Arundel County line and Milford Mill Road and I-95 between Howard County line and the Baltimore City line.