Tree removal under way along Cape Coral Parkway
Tree removal is under way along Cape Coral Parkway today.
Joshua Tree Inc., subcontracted by Back Bay Construction, is removing 33 southern live oak trees along the parkway as part of an ongoing public safety and infrastructure improvement initiative.
The large-scale removal was set to begin at 7 a.m.and is expected to continue until 5 p.m. along what is one of Cape Coral’s busiest and most visible corridors.
The work will begin near 1331 Cape Coral Parkway E.
“While Southern Live Oaks are admired for their beauty and longevity, experts say these particular trees were planted in spaces too confined to support their mature root systems safely. Over time, the expanding roots have caused sidewalk upheaval, pedestrian trip hazards, and surrounding infrastructure concerns,” officials said.
“These trees are a perfect example of the wrong tree in the wrong place,” said Ryan Ishley, ISA Certified Arborist with Joshua Tree Inc., in a prepared statement. “Southern Live Oaks thrive in large open environments, but when planted in narrow urban corridors, root conflicts with sidewalks and roadways become unavoidable over time.”
The tree removal is part of the Cape Coral Parkway East improvement project which city officials say will keep traffic in the South Cape moving safely and efficiently by expanding the parkway East to six continuous lanes between Coronado Parkway and Del Prado Boulevard.
The project includes resurfacing and restriping the pavement between Triton Court East and just west of Cape Coral Street/Southeast 15th Avenue; removing the existing median between Triton Court East and Manor Court and constructing a longer turn lane; installing nine new signal heads on existing signal poles and mast arms; rewiring eight signalized intersections between Chiquita Boulevard and Del Prado Boulevard; installing additional signage to improve traffic guidance; removing the 33 oak trees within the clear distance of the new travel lanes for safety and replacing curb and gutter and paver sidewalks along the newly expanded travel lanes.
Although street parking along Cape Coral Parkway will be eliminated for the widening of the road, there will be no loss in terms of total spaces because other parking options have been added, officials said.
The project cost is $2.37 million and is anticipated to be completed in the fall.
(Editor’s note; This story has been updated to include information on the Cape Coral Parkway East six-lane improvement project.)