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Lose one, gain two
 Trees lining the boulevards from 160th Street to 147th Street in Apple Valley will be removed beginning May 18 as part of the construction along Cedar Avenue in preparation for bus rapid transit. Trees on the southbound boulevard will be removed first, followed by the northbound boulevard. Approximately 90 percent of the trees being removed are Ash trees, considered at risk to Emerald Ash Borer infestation.
When construction is complete along Cedar Avenue, trees will be replaced with a variety of tree species (excluding Ash trees) to prevent future disease outbreaks. For almost every tree removed two will be planted, along with 1,300 shrubs and 1,960 perennial plants. The exact date of tree removal is dependent on the weather and construction progress.
Dakota County worked closely with the Apple Valley and Lakeville to develop the replacement landscaping plans for the removed trees. Landscaping is one of the last steps in the construction process as Cedar Avenue is prepared for bus rapid transit in 2012.
A portion of funding for this project was provided by the Counties Transit Improvement Board. Find out more information about the Cedar Avenue construction project.
About Emerald Ash Borer
Emerald Ash Borer infestation was first identified in the United States near Detroit in 2002 as a culprit for significant Ash tree death. Emerald Ash Borer has since spread into neighboring states and Canada. In May 2009 Emerald Ash Borer was confirmed in St. Paul, Minn. and then in Minneapolis in early winter 2010. Emerald Ash Borer has killed more than a million of Ash trees since first being detected in the United States.
About the Counties Transit Improvement Board
The Counties Transit Improvement Board is taking regional transit to the next level in the metropolitan area. Since April 2008, five counties—Anoka, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey and Washington—have utilized a quarter-cent sales tax and a $20 motor vehicle sales tax, permitted by the Minnesota Legislature, to invest in and advance transitway projects by awarding annual capital and operating grants. The Counties Transit Improvement Board works in collaboration with the Metropolitan Council and Carver and Scott counties.
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This page was last updated on: 05/17/2011
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