Towards the beginning of March, trees began disappearing from Banks and Edison Boulevard in Silver Bay. Crews were seen trimming and chopping down the ash trees lining the streets, including the locally semi-famous “Bud’s Palm Tree” on the corner of Banks Boulevard and Davis Drive. Speculation arose over the cause for the tree removal, with guesses including a reemergence of the emerald ash borer and new road work.
The answer to the removal of the trees is multifaceted, with the primary reason being the CSAH-32 road (Edison Boulevard) and utility reconstruction project, led by the Lake County Highway Department. Tree removal is required to be completed by the end of March to “comply with the long-eared bat mating season”, according to City Administrator Lana Fralich. The other reason for the tree removal is that yes, the emerald ash borer has made an appearance in Silver Bay, and this invasive species is decidedly an unwanted tourist. “We do plan to save and replant trees that we can,” Fralich noted, while mentioning that the downed trees are those within the construction area.
Lake County Highway Department engineer Jason DiPiazza explained that the street improvement project, CSAH-32, is a joint project between Lake County and Silver Bay and will involve reconstructing Edison Boulevard from Penn to Horn and Banks Boulevard from Horn to Davis. “The project will include reconstruction of the sanitary sewer system, water distribution system, storm sewer system, street curb, pavement, and sidewalks that are removed for utility work or do not meet ADA accessibility requirements,” DiPiazza said in an email.
The road reconstruction itself will begin after Memorial Day 2025 and is slated to reach completion by the end of October 2025. During construction, Banks and Edison will be closed to through traffic, though residents will still have driveway access most of the time. “There will be closures and restrictions to that access to accommodate utility construction, grading, and paving,” DiPiazza noted. “A short duration closure of Davis Drive at Banks Blvd (near City Hall) is also anticipated to connect utilities across the intersection.”
When asked about the necessity of the tree removal, Jason DiPiazza explained that the “boulevard tree removal was required to accommodate reconstruction of the sewer systems; in most areas, the boulevard trees are located over the sanitary sewer or storm sewer pipes. It would not have been possible to perform the excavations to access the sewers and save the trees.”
The CSAH-32 road and utility reconstruction project is funded by City of Silver Bay utility funds, assessments, Lake County Transportation sales tax revenues, and County State Aid Highway funds.
Though many ash trees have had to be removed due to the emerald ash borer, the City of Silver Bay has received a ReLeaf grant and will be planting trees for a new generation of Silver Bay residents to enjoy.
