Prior to final design of any urban highway funded in part by any municipality, such municipality may hire a competent authority to conduct a landscape study that shall assess the effect such proposed highway construction may have on existing trees, shrubbery, and other flora and shall make recommendations as to modifications to such project that would minimize damage to existing flora. The Department shall consider such recommendations and modify such highway construction plans to protect trees, shrubbery, and other flora if determined by the Department to be reasonable and practicable. The cost of such landscape study shall be payable by the municipality that initiates such study.