RIDOT contractor destroys century-old trees in violation of plan

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — A RIDOT contractor destroys century-old trees in violation of plan and without permit.

The multibillion dollar construction company RIDOT is paying to fix 15 bridges that span across I-95 has deviated from the plan they submitted and destroyed over an acre of century year old trees. This was done without approval or a permit.

Skanska, who is being paid $700 million for the project, submitted plans to RIDOT regarding the proposed tree removal in an area next to the Huntington Viaduct (Rt. 10) over Elmwood Ave. These proposed plans (2nd photo) which appear on the RIDOT website, show minimal removal of the trees from their original condition (3rd photo). However, the company went ahead and cut down every tree in the parcel, completely going against what they agreed upon with RIDOT.

With the trees gone this area is now potentially subjected to flooding. The removal of the trees can also result in habitat loss, soil erosion, increased carbon dioxide levels, and disruption of water cycles.