Protesters Gather Outside MnDot Headquarters Friday In Attempt To Stop Highway 34 Tree Removal

Detroit Lakes, MN (KDLM) – Angry protesters gathered outside the MnDot district headquarters in Detroit Lakes on Friday afternoon, holding signs and marching…trying to halt the tree-cutting on the Highway 34 scenic byway. 

MnDOT is clearing trees from Four Corners near Detroit Lakes to Osage as they prepare to resurface Highway 34 with the intention to widen the lanes, and eliminate shade trees to help with highway melt which would reduce the salt needed to melt ice on the highway.

The tree removal is part of a $15.7 million reclamation and resurfacing project set for this summer. The tree removal, which began on January 23rd is phase one of the project that will see trees removed along a 21-mile stretch of highway.

Protesters argue that the project could have been done without eliminating the trees, saying that cutting down the shade trees won’t solve the melt issue, won’t increase highway safety, and will make the scenic drive less attractive.

A small group of protesters entered MnDot headquarters hoping to talk to officials and have somebody address the crowd outside. There wasn’t anybody available. 

Protesters plan on meeting with Minnesota’s commissioner of transportation Nancy Daubenberger on Tuesday. Organizers say the next step would be legal action against MnDot.