150-Year-Old Oak To Be Moved In Iberia

NEW IBERIA, La. (AP) — It will be another three weeks before crews can move a 150-year-old oak tree in Iberia Parish dubbed "Mr. Al" as part of a project to complete a service road along U.S. Highway 90.

State transportation engineer Bill Oliver says Houston-based Environmental Design is waiting for the tree to completely "leaf" before moving it to the new location. Oliver told The Daily Iberian that the move may occur by the last week of April or first week of May. When it happens, officials say it will close both spans of U.S. 90 for up to four hours.

Oliver says the decision to save the tree was made years ago when the project was developed. The $300,000 relocation cost includes a three year maintenance plan to ensure the tree's survival.

(Information in this story is from: The Daily Iberian, http://www.iberianet.com)