Evening star., 1923-12-03
Gen. Beach Asks Appropriation 4
For Aqueduct Bridge Remoual
Says Completion of Key Structure
Renders Old One Useless--E1plains
AnacOstia Park Progress.

Owing to the probable completion
OF the Francis Scott Key bridge in
the early part of the next fiscal year,
Gen. Beach says 1t is no longer
necessary to continue repair work on
the Aqueduct bridge. He recon-
mends that Congress make an appro-
priation of $4,000 for the removal
of the old structure. With that
money, Gen. Beach says 1t is pro-
posed to remove all of old Aqueduct
bridge lying between the abutments
of the new Francis Scott Key bridge.
This will include two large masonry
rest piers and six smaller inter-
mediate masonry piers and the steel
spans and bridge deck above them,
the abutnent at the Virginia end
and the riprap stone placed around
the piers to protect them from dam
age. The masonry work and riprap
stone Will be removed 10 a depth of
about twenty to twenty-five feet be-
low mean low water to provide ample
water cross sectional area for the
passage of foods and running ice.
Included in the work is the removal
of section OF the Virginia earthen ap-
proach fill for a length of about one
hundred feet.
May Snve Rock.
Gen. Beach points out that II the
desired appropriation is made within
the next year it may be possible to
utilize most of the %, n09 tons of rock
to be recovered, in building seawall
foundations in Anacostia Park. and
save about $4,000 in the transaction.
lie adds that he knows of no avail
able market for the stone at this time.
There is a balance Of $114,527 avail
able for the completion of the Fran
els Scott Key bridge, and no more
funds are required. When the bridge
Is completed it will be transferred
TO the jur iSdiction of the District
commissioners. Referring to the ef-
feet Of the Improvement. Gen. Beach
says:
The former congestion of vehicular
traffic over the old bridge has been
eliminated and u large increase in
the number Of vehicles passing be-
tween Rosslyn, Va, and Georgetown,
u. C., has been noted. This is due
TO expediting passenger traffic and to
raising the former restrictions on the
loads OF commercial vehicles. In this
way the District of Columbia has
proftted by the easy and direct means
or communication with the railroad
yards In Rosslyn, Va. During periods
OF ceremonies IN the District of CO.
lumbia the bridge has facilitated the
movement of traffic to Arlington and
Virginia Since the opening Of the
bridge land values in Rosslyn, Va.
have increased to a large extent and
an increase in commercial activities
has also been noted"
Anncostia Park Work.
In chapter devoted to Anacostia
Park the report shows that $1,577,749
has been expended to date on the
project adopted in 1918 and that ii is
about 40 per cent completed. 1t is
estimated that 1t will cost sl.990.596
to complete the project. Operations
TO date have been confined to that
section of the AnacoStia valley be-
tween the mouth of the river and
Benning bridge and have consisted
mainly of dredging in the channels
and lakes and constructing the sea
wall. A special report is to be sub
mitted to Congress at an early day
showing the necessity for continuing
operations above the Benning bridge
under certain notifications of the
original project At. the latest session
of Congress a resolution was passed
asking for definite information on
that particular subject.
For continuing the work in progress
below Benning bridge. Gen. Beach