Tree crews used some high-flying equipment to cut trees for a new bike path Monday.

Tree-cutting crews used some high-flying equipment to cut trees for a new bike path today.



A helicopter dangled a multi-bladed device to clear trees for the 16-mile Urbana-Bellefontaine Connector, which will run parallel to railroad tracks.



"It's like using a chainsaw," said pilot Leo Boucher of Rotor Blade, a South Carolina company hired to do the work. But his "chainsaw" is actually several blades, each spinning about 5,000 revolutions per minute about 80 feet below his helicopter. Metal poles connect the blade device to the helicopter.



Bellefontaine mayor Adam Brannon was in the crowd of spectators watching from a safe distance. He said the bill for the helicopter trimming was about $50,000, compared with more than $100,000 for traditional ground crews.



"It looks like they'll get the job done quick," said Jeremy LeVans of LeVans' Excavating, the bike path contractor. He said the pilot will complete the work in about two days.



Brannon said the bike path will be completed in November.