December 12, 1956

Opening of the Sunshine State Parkway is more than the
opening of a modern, much-needed, safe thoroughfare linking
the two populous areas of Fort Pierce and Miami.

It is also the opening of a new era in transportation for
Florida.

This bobtail' turnpike will always be a symbol of Florida's
determination to equip its residents and visitors alike with
safe and adequate surface transportation facilities.

We are determined to couplets the full-length turnpike to
Jacksonville -- and then a spur to the Tampa Bay area when
feasible.

Tied in with this turnpike network will be expressways to
carry traffic through and pest our great urban centers with
ease.

Coupled with this will be the limited-access federal inter-
state highway system, in which florida plays so important a
"no

And, of course, we will be in an even better position to
provide adequate primary and secondary highways all over Florida.

So many people are due credit for the bobtail" turnpike. At
the top of the list in the fight to obtain legislative authority
to proceed I place former State Senator Dunn Gautier of Miami.
At the top of those whose dedicated unselfish service has been
most instrumental in the execution of the Turnpike proJect, of

course, belongs Colonel To: annel, the able Chairman of the
Authority.

Lenny Collins
Governor