Evening star., 1923-01-05
DELAY IN OPENING
BRIDGE TO TRAFFIC
Temporary Roadway Ap-
proaCheS to Structure Are
Being Constructed.
TO BE READY NEXT WEEK
Work Needed Preliminary to Es-
tablishing Service by the Traction
Companies, Engineers Report.

Cnfavorable labor conditions will
delay the opening of the new George
town bridge for general yehicular
traftc until next week, according to
the engineers in charge. Temporary
macadam roadways are being con
structcd at the north and south ap-
proaches to the bridge and will be
used until both approaches have set
tied and can be widened and improv-
cd, and the street car service is put
IN operation, about the first of April.
The opening of the new bridge next
week with only temporary roadways
on the approaches is for the purpose
of closing the present southern en-
trance to the old Aqueduct bridge and
eleyatfng and widening the new
bridge approach at that point. The
capital Traction loop cannot be built
nor the terminals of the Virginia rail-
roads be established until that is
done. The cars of the Old Dominion
line viii be permitted to cross the
Aqueduct bridge until it can build q
pew terminal at RoSslyn.
Discusses Railroad Terminals.
? In response to various suggestions
made to the War Department regard
ing the location of railroad terminals
at the Virginia end of the bridge.
Secretary Weeks has stated that the
federal government has no jurisdic-
tion in the matter beyond the United
states reservation at RosSlyn. and
that improvements beyond that point
nopendS on private and municipal en-
terpriSe. Traffic arrangements over
the new bridge will be temporary. for
the present, he said, and can be re-
vised and improved as future condi-
tons render necessary. The War De-
i'artment has exclusive jurisdiction
IN the matter at present. but Congress
tion of the structure to the District
commissioners on it's completion.
Situation Is Explained.
In a letter TO Frank Lyon of Airing
ton county, Va. Secretary Weeks ex-
rlained the terminal situation as fol-
lows:
There has not been any question
Of the desirability of adequate termi
malls, but the fact has been recognized
that to provide q development of
them outside of the bridge is not a
federal duty. The Importance of con-
venient terminals must be obvious to
all esnecially to private and munich
pal interests that Will be most bene-
fitted by the bridge.
1T is my information. however, that
those interests have made no head
way in arranging permanent
terminal. except as the temporary
occupation of government land will
lead to an improved arrangement.
Action was necessary by the depart
ment to prevent an awkward inter
ruption of traffic when the bridge is
opened and to permit its use by cleo
trio railways as provided for by the
law authorizing it's building.
Best Temporary Layout, Aim.
THE departments study of the
terminal question was therefore
directed to planning the best prac-
ticable temporary layout TO meet
fhe situation. While the arrangement
planned is thought'to be the best pos
sible under the circumstances, it
will not prevent an improved develop
ment, such as you advocate, which
can yet be made by private and
municipal enterprise. The arrange
nent of terminal facilities outside the
government reservation is matter
for accomplishment by the local au-
thorities and the railway companies
and is not one over which the War
Department has control"