I understand that it’s not the most hospitable environment for most plants (salt, car accidents, minimal animal traffic) but that space gets mowed to keep what grows there short. Why not have some wildflowers, native grass, or even trees there? Trees would act as an extra barrier between such fast traffic
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Mainly, budgets.
Usually the state’s department of transportation is in charge of maintaining these areas and the simplest and cheapest option is use a tractor mower to keep it in check. This gives them easy access to the cable barriers that prevent crossover accidents. And that’s the limit of maintenance – just let whatever grows grow and keep it somewhat maintained by mowing it periodically.
Now, trees, would seem like a good option. Trees have branches that need to be pruned otherwise they fall into the road if they’re close enough. Wind storms and severe weather can also knock trees over into the road. Car accidents (especially semi accidents) can also knock a tree down into the other side of the highway.
Now, yes, the trees can be maintained to prevent a lot of this. However that would require every tree to get individual attention. DOTs just generally don’t have that kind of budget. So, cable barriers and tractor mowers it is
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