Tree removed after it became dangerous

Traffic on La. 351, the Ruth Bridge Highway, backed up off and on all day Friday, March 14, near the busy intersection with La. 31, Main Highway, as a removed a damaged giant water oak looming dangerously over the roadway.

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) sent out A crew from Lafayette District 3 under the direction of foreman Tina Douet to take down the 80-90 foot high tree, which was apparently damaged by lightning during a recent storm. It took several pieces of heavy equipment to cart off the 45-inch-diameter trunk.

Some of the tree’s branches had already blown down across the road when heavy winds whipped across Ron Peltier’s yard recently.

-- Dan McKain