UW-Green Bay Clears Hazardous Trees on Nicolet Drive
The university is removing hazardous trees to improve roadway safety for drivers before the onset of winter weather.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Botany
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The University of Wisconsin-Green Bay is clearing hazardous trees along Nicolet Drive after a tree struck a vehicle in August. This project, which aims to mitigate further safety risks, is expected to conclude before the onset of winter weather.
Why it matters
The removal project seeks to resolve documented safety hazards on a high-traffic roadway while adhering to state-mandated fiscal and procurement protocols. This effort is necessary to prevent vehicle damage and potential injuries caused by falling timber.
The university has allocated $30,000 to the project, exceeding the $5,000 state-mandated competitive bidding threshold. The initiative follows three reported instances of tree limbs falling on the roadway, alongside the August incident.
The players
UW-Green Bay
The public university responsible for managing property along Nicolet Drive.
Asplundh Tree Expert, LLC
A vegetation management contractor tasked with assessing and removing hazardous trees.
Wisconsin Department of Administration
The state agency overseeing compliance with procurement and competitive bidding laws.
The details
The university engaged Asplundh Tree Expert, LLC to assess the hazardous vegetation and identify trees requiring removal. This process ensures compliance with Wisconsin state law, which mandates a formal competitive bidding process for any service contract exceeding $5,000. The funding is sourced entirely from internal institutional funds, explicitly excluding student tuition, fees, or private donations.
Timeline
August 19, 2026: A tree fell onto a vehicle on Nicolet Drive.
September 29, 2026: University received assessment and cost estimate from vendor.
October 20, 2026: University official sent communication to local Alderperson.
Before winter 2026: Scheduled completion of tree removal work.
The Tech Race
The project follows established state procurement statutes requiring competitive bidding for contracts exceeding $5,000. This administrative hurdle dictated the timeline for addressing the safety hazards identified by the university's vendor assessment.
Drivers using Nicolet Drive should anticipate localized work zones as crews remove hazardous trees before the first significant winter weather. The university confirms that no student funds were diverted to finance this $30,000 safety initiative.
The takeaway
The university is prioritizing driver safety by clearing hazardous trees after reports of falling debris on a local roadway. Residents should watch for the completion of this work before winter to avoid potential travel disruptions.
Further reading
For more on local vegetation management, visit the Botany section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WLUK.
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