The Punta Gorda herald. [volume] (Punta Gorda, Fla.) 1893-1958, 1918-02-14

way in the county which extends entirely
across the county from Polk county OH
the north to Lee county on the south. and
is, therefore not only the logical route for
said North and South State Road, but is
the only route which follows established
highways Said highway is centrally To-
Gated and passes through Arcadia and
through all centers of population between
Arcadia and the Lee county line, and
from Punta Gorda to the Lee county line
in connection with the Charlotte Harbor
Bridge now under construction, IL forms
part of the shortest, most direct and
practical route from Fit. Myers to Sara
soto, Bradentown and Tampa, reducing
the distance to the latter by at least eight
miles over any other practical route. 1t
also forms the connection link in the Ia
miami Trail from Miami on the East
Coast via FIT. Myers to Tampa on the
West Coast, and thus become of great
military Importance; and,
Whereas, said highway traverses all
centers OF population between Arcadia
and the Lee county line, while any other
practical route dncluding the route of
which the six miles referred to by the
Commissioners of Lee county forms
parD must traverse territory which is
not only uninhabtable, until very expen-
sive and difficult drainage works are
planned, financed and constructed; and
Whereas, said highway has been hard
surfaced, or provision has been made for
hardsurfacing the same from the Polk
tant from the Lee county line, which
point is only fifteen miles distant from
Ft. Myers; but, owing to the fact that
heretofore there have been no facilities
for crossing the Caloosahatchee river at
FIT. Myers, the road now travelled
makes q detour of 40 miles in order to
reach that city; and,
Whereas, The Board of Trade of FIT
Myers is making vigorous effort, with
| every prospect of success, looking to in
| StaliatlOn nj tal
bridge across the river at that city, which
bridge from military, commercial or au-
| tomobile traffic point of view would seem
| to be as justly entitled to financial sup
| port or assistance from state and nation
| al sources as other bridges that have been
approved by the State Road Department.
| and
Whereas. DeSoto county offers to con-
struct road from the termination of the
hardsurfaced portion of said highway to
the Lee county line, at any point Lee
county shall select, there to connect with
road from New Prospect Opposite FIT
Myers, this reducing the distance from
tt. Myers to all points north and north
west by more than twenty miles, and
making this route as short as the short
est between FIT. Myers and Arcadia and
all points north and connecting FIT Myers
| by the shortest and most practical route
with the whole automobile reached sec
| ton of the United States; and,
Whereas, This Board, while 1t appre-
GATES the spirit of generosity which
| prompted the Board of County Commits
| sioners of Lee county to offer to assist in
| securing funds from the state and nation
| al governments with which to build a road
| In DeSoto county, we, are, nevertheless,
of the opinion that, owing to the above
| reclted facts, funds derived from state
| and national sources would be much more
| appropriately applied to building or as
| sistant in building a bridge across the
| river at FIT. Myers; and, while FIT Myers
/ nd 40 ,ktr. i
efciaries, the work will be of such state
and national Importance that DeSoto
county will gladly contribute her infiu-
! ence to secure the accompli shment of so
important an Improvement, leaving local
| and parallel roads to be constructed by
| the regular tax, as drainage makes set
| Element and development possible; now,
| therefore, be 1t
! Resolved by the Commissioners of De-
I Soto county, that we respectfully request
the Commissioners of Lee county, to join
us in petition asking the State Road De-
partment under the provisions of Chapter
| 1928 of the laws of Florida, to locate and
designate, either as a state road or as a
state aid road, the following described
road, to-wit: Beginning on the north
line OF Lee county at some point in
Ranges % or "a, said point to be selected
by the commissioners Of Lee county or
the State Road Department, and running
from thence, by route to be selected by
said commissioners or department, to the
Caloosahatchee river opposite FIT. Myers,
and thence across said river to FIT. Myers
The character of the necessary bridge to
be determined by the Department in con-
sultation with the Lee county Commits
sioners and State Road Department.
| All the legal prelimnaries were adopted
| for holding an election in the Fort Ogden
district to vote upon the question of is
suing $35, 100000 of bonds for roads and
| bridges.
Following resolution, introduced by
| Commissioner Written, was adopted:
| Resolved. That it is the opinion of this
| board that, where petitions for formation
of special road and bridge districts show
| that the petitioners have estimated the