Mr. Walter L. Revels
Department of Transportation
Tallahassee, Florida

Dear Mr. Revelst


Please give me some indication of how soon construction can

be commenced on the Interstate 4 complex of bridges over the Tampa

Bypass Canal C-135 in Hillsborough County.

It is imperative that construction of these bridges be

commenced at a very early date so as not to delay use of the Tampa

Bypass Canal as soon as portions of it have been completed.

The Tampa Bypass Canal, when connected to the Hillsborough

River by the Harney Cut-Off Canal, will provide an immediate

means of diverting flood waters from the residential areas of

Tampa and Temple Terrace.

The Canal will be available immediately as a supplemental

water supply. It flows through the Eureka Springs area and can

provide large quantities of water conveniently located to help

sold our serious water supply problem.

It is my understanding that plans for the 1-4 bridges have

been completed for several years during which time the estimated

cost has risen from less than $2.5 million to more than $3 million.

During each of the past two legislative sessions the Legislature

has stated its intent that the Department of Transportation shall

plan and construct such bridges upon request of the Department

of Natural Resources from primary road funds. On July 28, 1971



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the request of Southwest Florida Water Management for these bridges

was forwarded by the Department of Natural Resources to your prede-

cessor, Mr. Edward A. Mueller. No response has been received

although your department has informally advised interested

parties that no money would be forthcoming because these bridges

were not in your five year plan.

The Tampa Bypass Canal cannot serve its useful functions of

affording flood protection and providing an additional water supply

until the 1-4 bridge complex and other necessary bridges have

been completed.

Please advise me of your current tentative schedule in this

matter as soon as possible. I urge you to give this top priority

and stand ready to cooperate in every way possible.

Sincerely,



Ray C. Knopke