The City of Hartselle is asking the Alabama Department of Transportation if several trees could be moved that are blocking lines of sight at the Alabama 36 and Thompson Road interchanges on I-65.

Department of Development director Jeff Johnson said the city has received several complaints about trees being planted along the exit ramps that could block the view of oncoming traffic, specifically on the southbound exit ramp on Alabama 36.

“Citizens said that the new crape myrtle trees that were being planted between the on ramp and the bridge were blocking their view of oncoming traffic,” Johnson said. “I can understand those complaints. It’s already difficult to see at that intersection. So that’s why we’re asking ALDOT to see if we can move those trees.”

Johnson said they have a plan to move the crape myrtles further away from the intersections of the southbound and southbound exit ramp quadrants of the two Hartselle interchanges on I-65.

Johnson said the shorter shrubs would remain in those areas since they would not grow high enough to obscure the vision of drivers at those intersections.

The plans for the other northbound and southbound on ramp quadrants would remain unchanged, as driver’s views would not be obscured from those directions.

Johnson said the changes would not affect the landscaping on U.S. 31 at the intersection of Alabama 36.

The project was delayed several weeks due to excessive heat, Johnson said. Work resumed this week on the U.S. 31 medians.

Johnson said they will begin resume work on the I-65 interchanges as soon as ALDOT approves the change order.