The Key West Citizen

Neblett Replies To State Highway Head's Statement On Toll Highway

A plan for a second Overseas Highway was advanced today by attorney William R. Neblett, a candidate for the State Senate from the 24th District.

Neblett made his recommendation in a letter to Cecil Webb, chairman of the State Road Department.

Webb had advocated, in a statement here March 12, that an $80 million dollar bond issue be floated to four-lane and resurface the present Overseas Highway. One of the reasons he gave at that time was that the road was a "first class military target and in the event of a war, a single bomb could cut off Key West's life-line."

Webb also pointed out the strategic importance of the road to local Naval activities.

Neblett, a retired Naval Lt. Commander, said in his letter to Webb:

"I do not believe it is a wise idea to double-lane the present Overseas Highway. To begin with, it would be more expensive than building an alternate route. Secondly, from a military standpoint, it would be more vulnerable to an enemy. In the same manner, it would be more vulnerable to the possibility of destruction by wind or wave. In the third place, it would still channel all traffic down the East Coast, making for more congestion. This would require tourists to back-track on the same highway on which they entered the keys, as they must do now in visiting the Everglades National Park.

"The waters of Florida Bay are shallow, and will lend themselves readily to the construction of a new, alternate "Overseas Highway from Big Pine Key or No Name Key to some point at Cape Sable, where it would join a state or Federal Highway on Florida's West Coast. Such a new highway

or bridges and fills, should have a built-in water line, to alleviate our diminishing water supply. and to provide an alternate source in the event of damage on the present pipe line. The two lines could meet at Big Pine Key, and added water for all of the keys would spur development.

"Personally, I would like to see such a plan put into operation without extensive bonding or pledging of homes, on a toll basis, until paid for. I believe many more tourists would be attracted by the idea of making a "circle tour," and this also applies to a Western Gateway to the Everglades National Park. Such a plan, properly presented, should meet with Federal favor, and will go far to aid in the growth and expansion of yet undeveloped areas along Florida's West Coast and the Keys."