July 28, 1999

Thomas F. Barry, Jr., Secretary
Florida Department of Transportation
605 Suwannee Street, Mail Station 57
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0450

Re - Suncoast Parkway, Project 2

Dear Secretary Barry:

At the July 6, 1999 Citrus County Board of County Commissioners board meeting, the Board discussed the potential ramifications of the Suncoast Parkway's proposed route north from the Tampa Bay area and specifically the current plans, which terminate the Parkway at US Highway 98, just south of the Citrus County line. If the Parkway is constructed to Highway 98, it is our position to support its extension and petition the Department to continue its construction through Citrus County.

The Board is resolute in the protection of the quality of life which so many of the Citrus County residents enjoy. The Board is cognizant that Citrus County roadways, as a result of traffic being directed by the Parkway, will be negatively impacted and the levels of service on those roadways will be seriously degraded. This potential situation must be avoided by the continuation of the Parkway's construction through Citrus County.

We have an extremely limited ability to fund and construct the required infrastructure that the additional traffic generated by the Parkway will demand. Termination of the Parkway at the County southern border will result in unbearable consequences for the local taxpayers.

It is the Board's position that the traffic generated in the metropolitan communities to the south of Citrus County should be directed, via the Suncoast Parkway, on through this area and exit at the northwest corner of the County. While the impact of the Parkway may not be immediate, it is imminent, and we request the department expedite Project to planning and development. It is the Board's position that the anticipated 10-year construction of Project 2 should be accelerated to a more realistic time frame in order to accommodate the projected use. The Board of County Commissioners , strongly urges and fully supports the construction of Suncoast Parkway, Project 2. Sincerely,

Vicki Phillips, Chairman Commissioner, District 3		Roger O. Batchelor, 2nd Vice Chairman of Commissioner, District 1
Brad Thorpe, 1st Vice Chairman Commissioner, District 5		Gary Bartell Commissioner, District 2
Jim Fowler Commissioner, District 4

VP/MC:bw

cc:	The Honorable Karen Thurman The Honorable Nancy Argenziano The Honorable Anna Cowin The Honorable Richard Mitchell James Ely, District Secretary Gary W. Kuhl, County Administrator