Evening star., 1926-07-30
GRADE CROSSINGS
CAMPAIGN PUSHED
D. C. Heads to Press for Final
0. K. on Four Pending
Viaduct Projects.
BY WILL P.'KENNEDY.

Elimination of grade crossings in
the District of Columbia as an i'm
portant public safety measure will
be pressed for conclusive action in
Congress as soon as the legislative
body reassembles in December, with
the prospect that funds will be pro-
vided in the next appropriation bill
for at least one of the four most inn
portant of these projects.
The Senate already has acted fay-
orably on two measures to eliminate
grade crossings-one general meas
ure covering the four main grade
crossings in the outskirts of the Ma
tional Capital, and the other specifi-
cally for the elimination of the Mich
igan avenue crossing, between Eighth
and Ninth streets northeast, near the
Catholic University grounds, and just
south of the University railroad
station. The House District COM
mittee has considered these measures
sympathetically, and prompt action
is expected, as practically all op-
position to this legislation has been
withdrawn.
Public Backs Project.
There is an insistent demand by all
civic and citizens associations that
these grade crossings be eliminated.
The director of the budget has in
formed the District Commissioners
that the proposed legislation is not in
conflict with the financial program
of the President. The desirability OF
eliminating these crossings is mani.
~, al iT1n motor
transportation adds to the danger
and menace to life. In fact, the pro-
gram is q direct result of fatal ac-
cidents at several of these crossings.
The measures now awaiting House
action in order to become law have
been recommended by the District
commissioners on a report from ID. t.
McComb. engineer of bridges, ana
with the Endorsement of the city plan
ming committee on the initiative of
Mai. Carey II. Brown, engineer for
the National Capital Park and Plan
ming Commission. The proposed plan
for the four principal grade crossings
is as follows:
Metropolitan branch of the Baltimore
and Ohio Railroad, a viaduct along
the line of Michigan avenue, at an
estimated cost of S275.000. not 1nciud-
ing the cost of any land that must be
acquired The Michigan Park C1tl-
zens' Association is actively support
ing this effort.
To eliminate the Chestnut street
crossing over the Metropolitan branch
of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, In
Takoma Park, viaduct would be
erected at Fern street, at an esti-
mated cost of $160,S95.
To eliminate Bates road crossing
over the Metropolitan branch tracks
of the Baltimore and Ohio Raliroao,
a yiaduct would be erected at Varnum
street, at an estimated cost of $90,Oe0.
To eliminate the Quarles street
crossing over the Baltimore and Ohio
and Philadelphia, Baltimore and
Washington tracks (near kenilworth),
a yiaduct would be erected at Eastern
avenue, at an estimated cost OF
$154,313.
Railroads to Pay Half.
The pending legislation authorizes
these appropriations, but specific ap-
preparations must be secured for eacn
project on estimates suDmlttvu ,,t,a
through the Budget Bureau. The bills
provide that one-half of the total cost
of constructing the viaducts at Michl-
gan avenue. Fern street, Varnum
street and Eastern avenue shall be
borne and paid by the railroad COM
panies concerned
The railroad company or companies
would be required to pay for the
lighting of the viaducts under which
the tracks of the railroads pass. in
accordance with the provisions OF ex-
listing law, and the bills provide fur
ther that no street railway company
shall use any viaduct or approaches
thereto for it's tracks until such COM
pany shall have paid a sum equal TO
one-fourth of the total cost OF con-
structing the viaduct and approaches
Another section of the pending bill
authorizes the District Commissioners,
in their Judgment, to carry any street,
avenue or highway crossing any line
of railroad tracks (now or in the fu-
ture) under or over said tracks, with
the cost to be divided between the
District. the railroads and street rail-
roads as above outlined in the four
specific cases now under considera-
tion. The purpose of this is to give
the District Commissioners adequate
authority to meet dangerous condi-
tions as they may arise in the future.
IN the opinion of the District Com.
TIntinued on Page 3. Column 2)