Construction has begun for the I-17 improvement project from Anthem Way to Sunset Point and so has the removal of native vegetation along the 23-mile corridor.

Crews have started removing saguaros, palo verde trees and ocotillos so they can be cared for and monitored during construction before being replanted along the wider highway, Arizona Department of Transportation officials said.

Plant salvage crews from the Kiewit-Fann Joint Venture developer team will collect hundreds of viable native trees, accents (such as ocotillos and yuccas), saguaros and other cacti over the next several months, according to ADOT.

Approximately two-thirds of the right-of-way along the 23-mile project area will remain undisturbed and no salvaging will be necessary, officials said.

Salvaged plants, cacti and trees will be taken with their native soil to temporary nurseries established for the I-17 project.

“October is usually the prime time for salvaging the plant material, just because our temperature is not too hot and not too cold,” said David Casselbury, a landscape architect with ADOT.

“We’re hoping the general public will enjoy driving along the highway and seeing this plant material back in its natural environment once the project is complete.” 

Once completed, the work area also will be replanted with native seed mixes and nursery-grown plants, ADOT officials said.