Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-03-10
DeiaWdre RiUer Span
of National InlpOrt
Continued From PAGE One

ohtinueu FROM Thge One
the location Of the bridge decided upon.
| speculation Of the most interesting ma
, ture can be INDUCED in. Changes will
affect the entire region from Callow-
hill street to South street and as far
west as the Schuylkill.
Among the locations suggested for the
bridge are what are known as the
Spring Garden and Race street plans
and the Washington Square approach.
Property Cost Lower
The argument in favor OF both Spring
Garden and Race street projects Is that
the property for the approaches can be
secured in those sections lower than
property further down town. At least
81 800. 900 would be saved.
Located there it would benefit the
industrial districts in the northeast
section of the city. BY constructing
radial bridge approaches to the south
ward all objection in that direction
would be eliminated.
Against this it Is urged that the ap.
proach from the New Jersey side would
remove the bridge from the center of
traffic in Camden. II would defect traf-
fic unnecessarily northward of that city.
The construction Of boulevard from
the heart Of Camden northward would
be necesSitatCd.
On the Philadelphia side the same
objection holds that the structure would
be outside the business and traffic zone
The Washington Square or Walnut
street terminus seems TO have the great
est hold on popular fancy. 1t would be
located in an historic neghborhood
Venerable buildings and historic struc-
lures could be retained aud utilized in
most admirable fashion.
The most comprehensive plans are
connected with the Washington Square
approach. They contemplate the re-
moval of buildings on the south side of
Walnut street from the square to
Eighth street and the widening Of that
thoroughfare to 100 feet.
Beginning at Walnut street, Eighth
street would be widened to 100 or 100
fpet as far north as Race, the latter to
be improved in the same manner until it
converged into the Parkway.
Locust Street Approach
An additional approach will be
Locust street. beginning at Washington
Square. 1t would be widenOd to 100 feet
"stward to Sixteenth street. which
latter would be also widcncd to its
junction with the Parkway
At Sixteenth street new boulc-
ward outlet to Grays Ferry would be
provided. at least 100 feet wide.
The idea in the revision OF street lines
is to provide traffic circuit II would
avoid motor congestion on the narrower
streets. From the bridge il would afford
a direct route along broad thoroughfares
to the SChuylkill and thus lead into the
national highways south and west
Another suggestion is the location Of
the bridge at "A point several squares
south of Walnut street. But objections
hold for this location as for tho Spring
Garden one, A radial approach at
gentle grade could be provided on South
Fourth street, which would furnish ar.
cess from the lower wards.
This street scheme is tentative II
and the Washington Square terminus
are the suggestions of DR.. W. =. Laird
consulting architect and professional
adviser to the old Interstate Bridge
Commission.
The suggestive plans of Doctor Laird
include beautifying and enlarging of tho
square. Property to the south would be-
taken over for this purpose. leaving un-
touched, however. any building Of his.
toric interest Beauty is one OF the
dominant notes in the Laird scheme.
No matter where the PhiIa
delphia terminus is located, converging
thoroughfares will have to be recon
structed by general widening of street
lines. Old avenues will he TRANSFORMED
Property condemnation for an.
proaches will cover wide territory.
The work should not be done in
skinny or restricted fashion. Plans
must be formulated to prevent any
possible congestion to the entrances to
the bridge.
The Brooklyn bridge has served as
horrible example Of bluudering in the
matter OF inadequate approaches. 1t
was rank failure TO visualize tho
growth Of population and increase OF
traffic.