News

Actions

Hundreds of saguaros transplanted during freeway project

Posted at 5:43 AM, Aug 25, 2016
and last updated 2016-08-25 08:43:59-04

Hundreds of saguaro cactuses are back in the ground after being replanted as part of a freeway improvement project in the Scottsdale area.

The Arizona Department of Transportation says approximately 400 transplanted saguaros were among more than 1,000 cactuses and trees salvaged while new lanes were added to the Loop 101 freeway.

Crews also are adding 10,000 new shrubs and trees and cactuses in conjunction with the project to widen and improve an 11-mile stretch of the Loop 101 between Shea Boulevard and the Loop 202 freeway.

ADOT landscape construction supervisor Richard Adamson says the cactus restoration work is rewarding because saguaros are symbols of Arizona and many are more than 100 years old.

Crews will finish the freeway improvement project this fall. It was launched in August 2014.