The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-04-27
ARMY ENGINEERS ASK.
! ALEXANDRIA BRIDGE
Report Sent to Senate Commit
tee Also Approves Memorial
! and Aqueduct Spans.
CONTINUED from First PaEe.)

Hoehlyn, Va; ana tthreel inc hiBh-
way bridge, near the site Of the old
Long bridge at the foot of Fourteenth
street and two and a half miles be-
Tow the Adueduct bridge.
Another bridge has long been In
contemplation, to be called the Mem
orial bridge. the site proposed Tor
which IL the prolongation OF line
Joining the Capitol. the Washington
Monument and the Lincoln Memorial.
IT IL probable that eventually hfth
bridge will be required near the
southern boundary of the District
ana leading to Alexandria.
Each of the bridges named above
has or will have a special service TO
duct bridge, the proposed Memorial
bridge and the Highway bridge lie
within the present limits of Washing
ton and Georgetown. From the map
all OF the highway connections which
will probably be required for many
years at these localities, and that each
will serve a distinct portion OF the
city"
Reasons For Rejection.
In his report on the Aqueduct Bridge
project, the chief of engineers went into
all the suggested sites and showed why
all were rejected except the Thirty
Fourth street one.
Giving his reasons for rejecting three
of the proposed sites. the chief Of engi-
neers says:
Five sites are suggested for the re-
constructed bridge. The most northern
e,70o feet above the existing bridge.
There Is little to be said in favor OF
this site.
THE most southern Is in prolonga-
as the Naval Observatory site. This
site. II selected, would not At in with
the existing system OF street car lines
and would not serve the interests OF
Georgetown or of Rosslyn. bridge
ht this point would also interfere with
site Us not recommended.
The next site Is from the foot of II
street, Washington. to Rosslyn. This
bite is advocated most strongly by resi-.
dents of Virginia. who are DESTROYS OF
fcaching the business center OF Wash.
tngton by the most direct route. Nc
pffer to defray a portion Of the cost Of
the bridge on this or any site has beer
bridge be built, as contemplated. all Of
the advantages to be derived from tn,
proposed II street site will then be AT
fordee and a more direct line from tn,
business center in Washington and tn,
eationsi reservation at Arlington ant
Fort Myer secured. The Hstreet site Il
opposed by the Representatives of tn,
District of Columbia. and the bridge. 4
lnJure the business interests of George
town.
Favor Both Sites.
The remaining two sites are, first
Tho site OF the existing bridge. and. sec
.ond. from the intersection OF M ant
Thirty-fourth street. Georgetown. TIL,
nj In al "a
OF these. as do the business Interest,"
OF Georgetown. These interests hav,
Seen built up through many years. du,
70 the existence of the Aqusduc
s1ssd a %rh their claims cannot be dis
ing street car system on both sides o
the Potomac have been located witt
reference to the Aqueduct bridge. The,
wHl serve fer either site.
1T has been observed. however, tina
congestion exists and inconvenience I,
trafhc results from the use of the pres
lent bridge largely because OF physlca
Thich cannot be changed without un
due expense.
IF. however. tho Georgetown end b
swung to the east and the bridge b
ust south and at the level Of N s stree'
While the Virginia end Ia kept close {
4ts present position. many OF the objec
lions to the present bridge site win dis
proper bridge-end plaza at each END
In Georgetown access to the bridge ca
pc had from both, east and west nlon
~, street, from the east later, Il de
sired or /. street. and from the mort
On Thirty-foortk street.
Grade Can Be Reduced.
The engineer commission has ir
Formed me that the existing rattle
steep grade in Thirty-fourth street, bt
tween NJ street and Prospect (the nes
street north Of M. can be reduce
readily and an easy grade made to
street.. The entire location can be {
treated as to insure good effect froI
The architectural point of view
II therefore recommend that the me-
Aqueduct bridge be constructed on
line joining the intersection of NJ an
Thirty-fourth streets, Georgetown, wit
a point In Rosslyn near the end of III
existing bridge
The report Of the chief Of cnginee.
was sent to Congress by Sccretnr
Baker In response to a Senate resol,
ton requesting the Secretary to repo
what, in his opinion, would be n prop,
knd suitable location for the Aquodu,
bridge. Secretary Baker confined hin
self to recommending that the birds
be constructed at or near the brid;
the present bridge, leaving the chief
engineers to report more fully on Il
subject.