Beautification

While the main purpose of transportation projects is to ease congestion and improve safety, landscaping and other appealing features also play critical roles in our roadways. The obvious benefit is that it makes the improved area more aesthetically pleasant. Less apparent is that landscaping increases safety through erosion control and improves air quality by removing pollutants. Planting grass on the slopes below the State Route 99/120 Connector project will prevent water from carrying soil away from the slope to undermine the improvements or cause other problems downstream. Artistic features added to the design of these transportation projects can boost economic development by greatly improving the appearance of a gateway to a city. The State Route 99 and Turner Road interchange is such a gateway to Lodi. Work several years ago was partly paid for by Measure K and included wine grapes and vines carved into the wall of the overcrossing at the interchange. The project greatly improved safety in the area, improved traffic flow and made the gateway much more attractive. Colorful patterns adorned the Interstate 5-French Camp Road interchange. Landscaping was added to the right of way near the interchange and plantings to mitigate the construction went in along the French Camp Slough on the east and west sides of I-5. 

State Route 99/Turner Road Interchange

State Route 99/120 Connector

Interstate 5/French Camp Road Interchange