PANAMA CITY BEACH — The entrance to the Thomas Drive flyover is getting a makeover.
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) describes its work leading up to the Hathaway Bridge as bold landscaping. Public information officer Ian Satter said the plan is to plant trees native to the area like oaks, palmettos and Yaupon hollies mixed with more tropical palms: Washingtonia, regenerative sabal and curved trunk varieties. FDOT is contracting with Bay Landscape and Palm Service for the 60-day project, totaling $280,000.
Landscapers are targeting the triangle area where Thomas Drive, Front Beach and Back Beach roads all converge, with workers planting palms underneath the underpass at the intersection. The shaded area does not seem to be a crucial location for decorative vegetation, but Satter said the amount of traffic in the area is driving the project.
The total landscaping area includes everything between Wilkinson Avenue and the bridge itself.
The goal of the project is to beautify one of the most visible areas in Bay County. The landscaping initiative is spread over the state, including another project at the Alabama border along U.S. 231.
“Florida is a very friendly state for tourists,” Satter said. “We want to make sure they’re seeing that type of landscaping. It’s good for locals, too.”