One of the first steps in widening US 93 near Wikieup involved removing thousands of native desert plants, including ocotillos and various cacti. The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) has stated that this removal is temporary, as more than 3,000 plants have been set aside for replanting once construction is complete.
ADOT has a history of salvaging native plants during highway projects dating back to the 1980s. Previous efforts have included projects on Loop 101 in Scottsdale, the Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway, and other sections along US 93 between Wickenburg and Kingman.
The current project at Cane Springs will see these plants returned to about four miles along the reconstructed highway between mileposts 106 and 110. LeRoy Brady, ADOT Chief Landscape Architect who worked on the agency’s first plant salvage initiatives in the 1980s, explained: “We try to make those slopes look as natural as possible. The goal is sustainability, visual integrity and to continue the habitat for both wildlife and insects.”
This effort includes saving ocotillos and around fifteen species of cacti such as barrel cactus, hedgehog cactus, Christmas cholla, and staghorn cholla. These were removed when work began in early 2025 and have since been maintained at a temporary nursery with an irrigation system until they can be replanted along the new roadway. Some replanting will begin in early 2026 with additional planting planned for when construction nears completion in early 2027.
The selection process for which plants to save was based on ADOT’s decades of experience with similar projects. For example, medium-sized ocotillos are often chosen because they tend to survive well after relocation.
“When you build a road, you want to keep as many of the plants as you can,” said Robert Winrow, ADOT resident engineer overseeing the US 93 widening project. “The ultimate intent is to make it look like the road was always there.”
Restoration plans also include using a mix of twenty-five to thirty types of native seeds tailored to local conditions such as temperature, rainfall, and soil type. This approach aims not only to restore vegetation but also control erosion and support pollinators while helping prevent invasive species from taking hold.
Some smaller transplants like hedgehog cactus may not be visible from passing vehicles but are considered vital for maintaining ecological diversity important for insects, birds, and other wildlife.
“Some things are hard to place a monetary value on but you do it because it all fits together,” Brady said. “It’s a piece of the puzzle.”
The US 93 project is scheduled for completion in spring 2027. More information can be found at azdot.gov/projects/us93CaneSprings.
