SHA to Replace Invasive Plants with Native Species along 45 Acres Adjacent to I-95; Project Part of Governor O’Malley’s Smart, Green and Growing Initiative           
          
(May 13, 2009) – This week, the Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA) will begin a $347,000 environmental preservation project along more than          
14 miles of the I-95 corridor between MD 100 in Howard County and I-495 (Capital Beltway) in Prince George’s County. The goal of the project is to eradicate invasive plant species and restore native vegetation along I-95 in Prince George’s and Howard counties, in support of Governor O’Malley’s Smart, Green and Growing initiative.           
          
Recently steady, soaking rains have accelerated the growth of invasive vegetation, which is crowding out native trees, shrubs and wildflowers that are important to the health of the Patapsco, Patuxent and Anacostia rivers watersheds. The environmental preservation project covers approximately 45 acres of highway roadside along I-95. During the next two years, SHA will remove invasive species, such as Porcelainberry, Oriental Bittersweet and other vines, which can be seen climbing and engulfing trees along the roadsides. Exotic invasive trees and shrubs such as Tree of Heaven, Callery Pear, Multiflora Rose, Bush Honeysuckle, Russian and Autumn Olive as well as the noxious weeds such as Canadian Thistle and Johnsongrass will also be removed.           
          
For safety reasons, crews will also remove trees that are in poor condition or have the potential of falling on the roadway and becoming or creating a hazard to motorists. Many of the trees have been degraded or killed by the invasive vines. After the crews have removed the invasive species and the failing trees, many areas may appear sparsely vegetated. Ultimately, the area will fill in with new growth that will improve the health of the desirable trees that remain and facilitate the growth of native plants.           
          
SHA will seed the roadside areas to restore the meadows with native, non-invasive species. This project is made possible thanks to President Barack Obama’s landmark American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Projects such as this are stimulating Maryland’s economy by creating or saving thousands of regional jobs.          
          
SHA’s contractor for the project is LMC Landscaping. During the next two years, crews will be doing the majority of the work in the median of I-95, necessitating the closing of the left shoulder; there may be times when the right shoulder is closed. When workers are on the road, THINK ORANGE, which is the color of construction signs, barrels and warning devices. Please slow down, stay alert and expect the unexpected. Choose to make work zone safety your business at www.choosesafetyforlife.com          
          
If the traveling public has any questions or needs additional information about the project, they may contact SHA’s Office of Environmental Design at 410-545-8590 or toll free at 800-446-5962.          
          
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