Cotleur & Hearing was retained by the FDOT to provide the design for this signature landscape project. The I‐95/I595 Interchange is a major gateway for south Florida residents and tourists traveling by car, airline, ship or train. The location was chosen by FDOT’s Secretary, Ananth Prasad, to receive extensive landscape improvements in accordance with FDOT’s new “Bold Vision” approach to landscape design. The project was fast‐tracked as it had to be designed in two months and constructed in six. As a stand‐alone landscape project, Cotleur & Hearing’s role included landscape, irrigation and hardscape design and about two miles of retaining walls that terrace the roadway side slopes to capture water for the plantings and reduce the potential for erosion.

This project also included design of retention ponds, traffic control plans, storm water prevention plans and permitting. Some of this scope was shared by a consultant on Cotleur & Hearing’s team, Metric Engineering. Cotleur & Hearing also provided post design services, approved all plant materials, (some as far away as California), layout and ongoing coordination for all aspects of the construction process. This project includes a three‐year warranty period by the contractor and Cotleur & Hearing will provide quarterly inspections throughout that period.

The proposed plant palette includes trees and palm selections that are the biggest and best quality plants available. The species chosen provide the most color, texture and tropical appearance. Instead of native plant species that reinforce the existing plant communities in South Florida, these species were chosen for their aesthetic value, ease of maintenance and ability to create the illusion of being in the tropics. Species that tolerate wet conditions were utilized within the lower dry pond areas and the more drought tolerant species were used on the roadway side‐slopes. Large masses of palm trees and flowering trees were used in various sizes to provide ‘movement’ for traveling motorists. The project provides a huge visual impact and is one of the boldest landscape projects completed in South Florida to date.

• Client: Florida Dept.of Transportation
• Location: Ft. Lauderdale, FL
• Project Type: Transportation
• Completion Date: 2014