92 Miles of Trees to Cost Nine Million Dollars

$9,200,000 is the price tag on a program called Roadway Median Tree Program that will landscape 92 miles of roadway over the next 6 years in Orange County according to Jennifer Cummings. She presented an update for the County Commission about the Roadway Median Tree Program on January 5, 2016. 

The cost is $100,000 per mile:
  • $7,820,00 ($85,000 per mile) to install the median plantings
  • $1,380,000 ($15,000 per mile) for someone to design the median plantings per safety standards.
The annual maintenance cost-per-mile was shared in a presentation during a 2015 commission meeting: 
  • $3,500 per mile per year - Right of way mowing only
  • $14,500 per mile per year - mowing with tree care
Funding comes from public works funds which are derived from from sales taxes. The program was originally a part of the road extension program budget, but has since been moved out. 

Streets receiving this treatment during year one (2015/16 fiscal year):
  1. Apopka Vineland Road 
  2. Pine Hills Road  
  3. Valencia College Lane 
  4. Alafaya Trail 
  5. Rouse Road 
  6. Texas Avenue
This program is meant to landscape county roads regardless of the financial status of the area surrounding the roads. 

As new roadways are created, this program will be incorporated. 

This program was approved in June 2015 by Orange County Commission. 

Designs for the 6 year program are being created by a contracted landscape architectural firm and an engineering firm. 

Below is the list of trees deemed suitable for medians by the contracted engineers:

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