The Washington times., 1924-01-31
Extension of New York Avenue
to Bladensburg Road
By BILL PRICE.

Traffic between Washington and Baltimore, and vice
the heaviest in this part Of the Atlantic seabOard
The single pike beginning Bladensburg, the sole
thoroughfare to and from Baltimore Leaving Warrington
this pike reached by way Of street northeast and the
Badensbg road by way Of Rhode Island north
east, with detour to the Bladensburg road
Baltimore and Washington business have long been
agang the construction Of another direct thoroughare
between the two cities to relieve the congestion that
dangerous the single roadway. Maryland and Wash
ngon people also have sought to get the Maryland legis
aure to provide for the extension Of Rhode Island
straight through to Hyattsve that traffic may avoid
the timekiing grade crossing Of the Baltimore Ohio
road at Hyasve, This paved to the District
line and the cost Of it's extension to Hyasve would not
be dsroporonate to the benefits to be derived by Mary
land and District people and the general public.
Governor Ritchie Of Maryland is understood to favor
the elimination Of the Hyatve grade crossing but no
extension Of Rhode Island at this time The grade
crossing should be eliminated Of course whether Rhode
Island avenue be extended It is bad spot It's elimination how
ever, will cost much putting Rhode Island avenue
through to Hyattsve, where it would west Of the
grade crossing and avoid steam railroad pitfalls
In connection with the lack Of direct roadway out of
Washington to Baltimore is Of interest to recall that in
1909 Congress passed directing the condemnation Of
land for the extension Of New York from Fourth
street northeast to the Badensburg pike The United
States attorney for the District immediately proceeded to
this end and the lands Of property owners were taken for
this purpose the compensation being the benefits" re-
sltng from the completion Of the project Although thr
teen years have passed since the property Of citizens
taken Congress has failed extend New York avenue by
making the necessary appropriations for grading and the
owners still waiting for the supposedly assessed bene-
fits This is just evidence Of the gross injustice often
done property owners in the District.
has been stated that $4,000 would be sufficient to
pay the cost Of this extension most valuable for traffic
between Maryland and the District The subcommittee of
the House appropriations for the District now has this
matter Of streets before it. The Commissioners annually
have requested appropriations for the proposed extension
Last year the Commissioners asked for $4,000 grade
onehird part Of the project intending that made
available to ask for further appropriations complete the
extension
It certainly would that all Washington would be
benefited by this project in view Of the steady
the number Of automobiles in and the congestion Of all
existing thoroughfares with traffic.
There is -mion- dollar bridge on the line Of this
street extension the gap from First street to
Fourth street northeast It has been allowed fall into
disrepair Rust with lack Of paint is getting in its de-
suctive work. The District government itself has ap-
prOpated the entrance approaches this bridge and is
utilizing the space for a concrete mixing plant.