Progress on greenway--Nov.11, 2010



Installing the 2nd lateral from Hillcrest.  The forester (bottom) is making clean cuts on tree roots.

By late afternoon, the sewer had been completed between the first two manholes at the west end.

Two laterals were under construction--feeder pipes from the first two houses at the west end of Hillcrest.

During installation of the first segment of the sewer, sewage was bypassed using a blue hose. As I arrived, workers had disconnected the bypass, and were milking the sewage out of it into the first manhole.

One resident arrived home just in time to observe the installation of his lateral. Apparently, residents haven't been notified by the City when their laterals will be installed.

Briana of Stephenson Tree Care was present, making clean cuts of the roots that had been cut while digging the trenches for the laterals.  Briana explained that the numerous large roots I could see in the excavations were most likely from trees that had been removed.

I was fascinated to hear Briana explain new technology for tree care.  For example, the compression of soil around roots--that occurs when heavy equipment drives near a tree--can be reversed.  An air probe injects air into the soil, inflating the soil to reverse the compression.

Brianna said this is the first job her company has been asked to help with during construction.  Usually, the company is asked to help repair damage to trees after contractors finish.  This sounds like progress in protecting trees.  Residents have been impressed that she spends so much time on-site.

Observers were impressed with the construction work.  There was no evidence of damage to tree trunks.  When the power shovel turned around, it retracted its arm--like a praying mantis--to avoid hitting trees.

The activism of residents along this ravine has helped set a new standard for tree care during construction.  New tree-care rules for contractors were written, the plan was perfected to save as many trees as possible, and  a forester is frequently present.

But residents near construction of the ponds along Old Middleton Rd didn't fare so well.  They lost over 400 trees--quite a few more than the plans called for.  Several trees were damaged.

Ravine neighbors... you spoke up, your voice was heard, and trees were saved.

As of 5:13 pm, it was already dark, but several pieces of heavy equipment were still working.

See all today's photos here.