On the final leg of its journey from the Kennedy Space Center, space shuttle Endeavour will be moving on the ground from the Los Angeles International Airport to the California Science Center. In order to make the move, trees along the route need to be taken down. The shuttle is scheduled to move in October and expected to take two days to complete this part of its journey. So far, 128 trees have been removed in Inglewood and another 131 trees will be removed near the Los Angeles International Airport.
Although some residents aren’t pleased to be loosing the shade trees, many city officials are relieved to have them down. Most of the Inglewood trees being removed are ficus, which develop large roots that are destructive to sidewalks, street pavements, and sewer lines. “Ficus are very aggressive on city infrastructure,” said Mawusi Watson, executive assistant to the city manager. “We’re happy to have those removed.”
Because the shuttle is five stories high and has a wingspan of 78 feet, traffic lights and signals are also being removed. When planning the route, California Science Center President and CEO Jeffrey N. Rudolph said the priority was always given to preserving the trees. The California Science Center is paying for the removal and replanting of the trees. The Center has agreed to plant two higher quality trees for every tree removed. The replacement trees will be evergreens, water gums, queen palms, and various other trees.
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