FDOTree is a District 2 Outreach Program designed to improve communications
with project partners and to facilitate internal discussions with FDOT
Engineers regarding all things associated with landscaping.
This program was developed for two essential reasons. One, to establish
landscaping as an integral part of roadway design for state projects early
in the design process. Two, to provide information to the public regarding
state projects that environmentally impact the community.
FDOTree was also created to educate the District and the public on the
multiple requirements needed to accommodate landscape development within
State ROW. District landscaping projects are continually being developed,
planned and programmed in a multi-year process which is subject to budget
allocations, design and construction schedules and prioritization of projects
Districtwide. To facilitate a greater community awareness of the changing
dynamics of delivering landscape projects in the District, FDOTree is
envisioned as a means to provide the most current planning information
to the public for greater awareness of the program.
At a minimum all projects
must meet FDOT criteria and be located “on system” within state Right of Way.
This typically means alongside interstates and state roadways. This includes
FDOT retention ponds and along soundwalls. Funding for improvements are
primarily restricted to landscape and irrigation features. Streetscaping projects
that primarily consist of hardscaping items such as benches, kiosks, trash receptacles
or lighting are not eligible.
Each District in the state manages and funds FDOT projects through their Work Program.
Essentially it is a budgetary road map for future improvements. Every project in District
2 is prioritized through the Work Program to establish a reasonable budget and schedule
for design and construction activities. Typically, project identification, funding and
construction is a multi-year process.
The District continually reviews our District work program to evaluate roadway projects
which may be a candidate for landscape improvements. The District also considers recommendations
and requests for landscaping provided from municipalities and the community. The District is
always on the lookout for potential projects. Sometimes this means an independent location
absent of any roadway work and sometimes this means a landscaped project is desired as a
follow-up after a roadway project.
The FDOT Work Program is refined daily to balance each District’s budget in compliance
with the annual budget. New projects under consideration for future fiscal year funding
are identified as candidate projects. As a candidate project, projects are evaluated and
weighted against all District needs to determine priorities for funding. Once a candidate
project achieves the needed requirements for funding the project is slotted for design and
construction in future fiscal years. Candidate projects must then become adopted to become
programmed and funded projects. Once adopted, projects are reviewed, and schedules are
fixed for design and construction.
All potential landscape projects are reviewed to ensure compliance with FDOT
criteria and current Design Standards. Once all compliance standards are confirmed a
project is then further refined and identified as a candidate project in the District
Work Program. All candidate projects are considered as placeholders until the projects
are vetted and approved for adoption into the Work Program. Once projects are adopted
as a viable project they are vetted further for annual evaluation.
This varies from project to project. Not all roadways within State ROW
can be landscaped. Numerous challenges dictate when, where and how a
State roadway can be landscaped. Challenges to be addressed include
limited ROW, appropriate safety setback criteria, sight visibility,
legal views to permitted Outdoor Advertising Signs, current and future
roadway construction and District budgetary limitations.
Landscape budgets are developed on a case by case basis. If the project is located in a higher
priority location the Department will most likely recommend that a project be a high profile
project and utilize larger materials. The Department has executed several high profile projects
over the years and have found that larger materials are advantageous to the Department. Not only
do the larger materials look more dramatic but have a better survival rate during construction
than smaller materials. Of course, the size of the materials depends on the project profile which
includes location, budget or environmental factors. There are times in which a project is designed
with smaller materials if the consensus is this will make a better overall project.
This depends upon the complexity and public involvement of a project. Complex projects
(such as urban interstate interchanges) may take up to 24 months to design. By statute the
Department only hires Registered Landscape Architects to design state landscape projects.
Time is allocated to negotiate contracts, inventory locations, survey station points,
coordinate with utilities, research past and future nearby projects, develop programmatic
concepts, meet with stakeholders, prepare initial design, meet with Department, respond
to review comments, refine design, respond to secondary review comments and prepare the
final design. If a project is considered high profile with considerable public interest
this too can add months to design.
In general, it can take anywhere from 2-5 years to completely process a project our Work Program
depending upon the complexity of any given project. In some cases, it could take longer.
This depends upon the complexity, scope and location of the project but on average most
projects range from 6 to 12 months.
Not always. While smaller materials use less water we have found that this can be an issue
contractually. Since we primarily execute low bid contracts, it may be to the contractor’s
advantage not to bid heavily on establishment items such as water for smaller materials.
While the Department contractually requires materials that decline to be replaced, a
contractor always has the option to simply replace smaller trees if deemed unacceptable.
Replacing trees during the establishment period has its own complications. This approach
shortens the establishment period for this plant and most likely will not receive sufficient
water as well. Conversely, when using larger materials we have found that contractors are
less likely to wager on the these materials because they cannot afford the financial
impact of replacing trees. It is more economical to water the materials correctly in the first place.
No. Not all projects have the same level of interest or require the same level of public involvement.
The Department cannot reasonably be expected to meet on each and every project. However, the FDOTree
Program does plan occasional meetings with interested community stakeholders to provide an update
on the current projects within the Work Program. These meetings are proposed to serve as a source
of communication between the Department and the community for upcoming landscaping projects.
Comments may be sent directly to our website for FDOTree review and consideration. Please note that
while you may have a good idea it must be understood that there is no guarantee that outside
recommendations will be implemented. Landscaping is subjective and we do not intend to design
projects by committee. Not only do we have to budgets and schedules to maintain, it does not
service our designer to expose themselves professionally. All design consultants are liable
from a legal standpoint and they are not contractually obliged to consent to outside influences.
None of our roadway engineering is designed by outside volunteers. Neither is our drainage,
structures or lighting contracts. Please understand, the Department must consider numerous
factors when designing landscaping projects. While we welcome public input, we will not pursue
design approval from independent stakeholders.