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The first 110 miles (177km) from Golden Glades to Fort Pierce opened in 1957Events January January 2 San Francisco and Los Angeles stock exchanges merge. January 3 Hamilton Watch Company introduces the first electric watch January 4 After 69 years the last issue of Colliers magazine is published January 5 Russell Endean becomes t as the Sunshine State Parkway, under the former Florida State Turnpike Authority. The second section from Fort Pierce to Wildwood, was finished in 1964Events January January 1 Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland is dissolved. January 3 Senator Barry Goldwater announces that he will seek the Republican nomination for President. January 5 In the first meeting between leaders of the Roman Catholic and Ort. The 47-mile (76km) Homestead Extension was completed in 19741974 is a common year starting on Tuesday (click on link for calendar). Events January-February January 5 Dungeons & Dragons officially released. February 4 Patricia Hearst, the 19 year old granddaughter of publisher William Randolph Hearst, is kidnapped.
Tolls on the turnpike are set at 6¢ per mile (about 3¾¢ per kilometer) for two- axle vehicles, and are lifted when it is being used for a hurricane evacuation route. Payment is via coins and SunPass electronic toll collection near the urban and suburban areas of Miami and Orlando, and via ticket the rest of the way (south of Kissimmee and north of Lantana).The system is operated at a significant profit for the state, which then uses the money for other road projects. Management is by the Florida's Turnpike Enterprise, part of the Florida Department of Transportation .
Exits on the highway are on the mile-log system. The Turnpike started using this system long before Florida's interstate highways were on the system, but originally used a sequential system, and then a hybrid where adjacent exit numbers differed by 4 south of SR 60 (exit 60 at the time) and 5 north of SR 60 . Rest areas (called service plazas on the turnpike) also have these "exit" numbers. Motorist- aid call boxes are located on both outside shoulders of the road every mile, and send only a signal indicating the need for gasoline, repair ( tire or engine), or emergency services ( police, ambulance, or firefighters).Service plazas are open 24 hours per day, most having Burger King and other fast food. Other services include Internet access, travel and tourism info and tickets, picnic areas, TV news, Florida Lottery , and of course restrooms and public phone s. SunPass transponders are available at all locations.
In 1998, the Florida Legislature designated the turnpike the Ronald Reagan Turnpike, after the 40th U.S. President. However, this designation did not replace the turnpike's existing name, only appearing on a few signs along the route.