The public has until May 16 to submit comments on the reforestation plan Watch video
EWING -- Following a public hearing on the tree-cutting work that is planned as part of the Scudder Falls Bridge replacement project, the public now has until May 16 to comment, officials announced.
Under the proposed plan, the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission plans to remove trees on a little more than 14 acres in Ewing near the bridge, at the adjacent Interstate 95/Route 29 interchange and along the I-95 New Jersey approach.
Tree work is scheduled to begin after Oct. 1 when the foraging season for the endangered Indiana bat ends.
The work will clear the way for the replacement of the bridge, reconstruction of the I-95/Route 29 interchange and installation of noise-abatement walls.
Under its proposed reforestation plan, the commission will:
- Plant slightly more than 1,400 trees on 7.18 acres of the project's New Jersey right-of-way after respective construction stages are completed;
- Plant another 650 trees elsewhere in Ewing to the maximum extent practicable; and
- In the event it can't meet its quota, provide monetary compensation to the state Department of Environmental Protection at a rate of $300 per tree
Those interested in commenting on the reforestation plan can send comments to info@scudderfallsbridge.com, through the contact pages on scudderfallsbridge.com or drjtbc.org or via mail to Community Affairs Department, Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission, 2492 River Road, New Hope, PA 18938.
More information on the bridge replacement is available at scudderfallsbridge.com.
Cristina Rojas may be reached at crojas@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @CristinaRojasTT. Find The Times of Trenton on Facebook.