Mowing operations are set to begin soon along state rights-of-way in the La Porte District, says INDOT. While many drivers may be surprised to see grass along the right-of-way growing longer than the typical lawn, INDOT wants to remind drivers that with thousands of acres to maintain, keeping the vegetation as short as the regular lawn is not possible.
INDOT says they predominantly use a three-cycle process to mow state roadways, which includes all interstates, state roads and U.S. routes. That means each right-of-way will be mowed three times a year. The Borman Expressway (I-80/94) and State Road 912 are on a five-cycle process.
The first cycle is a limited mow during which crews mow the median and the right-of-way up to 15 feet from the roadway. Most of the first cycle in the LaPorte District was completed by the end of May.
INDOT is expanding its Roadside Heritage Program to reduce the need for mowing. The program uses wildflowers and native plants to landscape Indiana’s roadsides. INDOT grows wildflower seeds at two locations and plants the seeds in appropriate areas. Not only do the blooming wildflowers beautify the roadways, they virtually eliminate the need for mowing in the planted areas.
