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June 13, 2014|By Angel Streeter, Sun Sentinel, By Angel Streeter, Sun Sentinel

In the middle of the concrete jungle that is Interstate 95, an oasis is on the horizon.

Hundreds of trees are coming to the highway near Palm Beach International Airport in a bold new landscaping project to make the area more attractive to visitors.

Some 15 varieties of tropical palms interspersed with flowering trees — Royal and Yellow Poincianas — will be planted between Southern Boulevard and Belvedere Road, adding some pizazz to the usually dull corridor.

It's part of the Florida Department of Transportation's latest effort to create big, eye-popping landscaping projects that leave a lasting impression.

"Instead of a little landscaping on a lot of projects, we're focusing on certain areas that will have bold landscaping," said Barbara Kelleher, a FDOT spokeswoman.

According to state law, FDOT has to spend 1.5 percent of its construction budget on landscaping.

A few months ago, the department completed a $5.9 million landscaping project at the junction of interstates 95 and 595 in Fort Lauderdale, beautifying the area near Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport with more than 2,000 trees.

"It's awesome," Kelleher said. "It really is beautiful. You can see it from 95 or 595. You can see it from the air."

These major landscaping projects are going in at "gateways" to the state and cities "to instantly create a welcoming and enjoyable experience," said Meredith Cruz, a Florida Department of Transportation spokeswoman.

So more beautification projects, though not as big and bold as the one near Palm Beach International Airport, will come. The state plans to spruce up Indiantown Road at Florida's Turnpike and I-95. The new Spanish River Boulevard interchange under construction in Boca Raton also could benefit from a bounty of landscaping.

Crews have been clearing the area on I-95 for the $3.5 million project near Palm Beach International Airport. Installation was slated to begin this week, but a delay in environmental permits has put the project on hold for about a week.

Once installed, the landscape contractor will be responsible for maintaining the landscaping for two years. After that, the Florida Department of Transportation will take over.

astreeter@tribune.com, 561-243-6537 or Twitter @adstreeter