KOKOMO, Ind. (AP) – Work as started on planting hundreds of trees at the interchanges of the U.S. 31 bypass around Kokomo that opened last year.

Kokomo officials say the empty expanses along the highway's entrance and exit ramps will be filled with nearly 300 native and ornamental trees.

The Kokomo Tribune reports crews started Tuesday planning the trees, including bur oaks, American sycamores, eastern redbuds and other native species.

Mayor Greg Goodnight says more than 1,000 trees were cut down for the bypass project and the new trees will make the new interchanges more attractive.

The tree planting is costing about $100,000. The $155 million, 13-mile bypass opened just before Thanksgiving last November as part of a larger project upgrading the highway between Indianapolis and South Bend.