UF00083529_00030.pdf

UF00083529_00030.txt

UF00083529_00030_pdf.txt

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While such a subject is properly part of the overall highway
problem, I as setting it aside by itself. because considerable
confusion seems to exist as to the position of toll roads and
their relation to the whole program of florida highway development.

Democrasy is a form 03 government wherein the rule of the majority
prevails and it is usually the case that decisions reached in such
manner eventually prove to be well founded. Such is the history

of toll roads in our state.

In 1953. as Speaker of the House, I enjoyed considerable influence

as to the deliberations and determinations of that body. For this
reason. and others, I feel Justified in claiming partial responsibilty
for the turnpike which is now in service between Pt. Pierce and Miami
and which has prOVen to be th most successful pike opened since the
New Jersey Turnpike was placed in operation. According to the 'Pirst
Research Corporation", traffic on our turnpike flirlllel was 20.8
greater in 1959 than in 1958, with a net income gain of 21.5. It

is some four years ahead of schedule on its bond retirement [#1 program.
This successful achievement is a prime

Hi/M/ltl/Wz example an to what can be ac-
ccmplishsd with sound planning. The Road Board, under the chairmanship

of submitted its recommendations to the 195}





session whizgfgslled for the construction of the turnpike in virtually
its precieelocaticn. It stand that it could not find proof of
feasibility for extension to a more northerly termination and their
recommendations were based on sound. professional research by unbiased
research firms.

Nevertheless, considerable heated debate ensued withinhe

legislature (another healthy process of true democracy) between those

senators and representatives of In that {othhv m who

believed for one reason, or another that their areas would suffer
from the turnpike construction, and other legislators from lower
southeastern counties who felt that the tourist end other trevsl
needs would be best served by a full length turnpike stretching
from Miami to Jacksonville. It finally become apparent that unless
those two factions, both sincere, could be brought together in compromise
there was every possibility that IE3Â¥$ would be no turnpike whatsoever.
Consequently, as the Speaker of the House, I arranged e meeting
of the Opposing Adfpl groups during which it became apparent to the
proponents of the full length turnpike that further insistence as to
their position would result in total defeat. I then prevailed upon
those opposed to any turnpike of any length located anywhere to accept
the t. Pierce to Dude county--L>rhe socallsd "hob-tailed" version
and then yielded the gavel to offer the appropriate slendnent

personally.

is Johiilgore W of The Miami nerald stated it so

on June 1, 1953,
sptly/,'Ardent backers of the turnpike are not sttisfied with the

hob-tailed version that got thnough, but they are not so unhappy so they
would havebesn with no turnpike 1:111 at an. I On the other side those
who frothed at the mouth when they heard the word spoken are not satisfied
with the turnpike bill that passed, but they dislike it a lot less than the]
would ths disliked e state-1033 project. To me, this is e disoription
of successful compromise.

As history has now proven, the will of the majority has proven
to be correct. Although in 1955, I personally introduced and lead to

naki possible the eetebliehnent of

passage 3 new bill/ig-i/the rest of the full length turnpike
running from It. Pierce to Jacksonville vie Orlando, Governor Collins

has found it impossible to srouse interest in financing it except from
It. Pierce to Orlando, becsuse feasibility of the full length cannot yet

be provwn We despite the remarkable financial euvuoese 01'

the preeent section.
Nor-ever, it now becomes apparent that caution was the proper
course '(another tribute to majority rule), because present plane
of the federal governmentinanoed Interstate highway System #1!
will provide Florida with needed North-South highway facilities
at no additional cost to Florida tax payers. Conetruotion of
the Interstate leg between St. Petersburg and Orlando is now
nearing completion-and further extension from Orlando to Daytona
Beach should be completed within two yarn. Thwcgcllgizietration I.)
W determined to begin construction of the Pt. Pierce to Orlando

toll road before the end of 1960.




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be prov n kne despite the remarkable financial euvwoesa of the present section. Moreover, it now becomes apparent that caution was the proper course (another tribute to majority rule), because present plane of the feders.1 governmen inanced Interstate Highway System ///// will provide Florida with needed North-South highway faellities at no additional cost to Florida tax layers. Construction of the Interstate les between St. Peteraburg and Orlando is now nearing completion and farther extension from Orlando to Ilaytona ,s. t Crjjm 5 Beach should be completed within two yare. Th administrat ar// determined to begin construction of the Pt. Pieree to Orlando toll road before the end of 1960.