Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-07-24

The Columbia Island axis affords
an opportunity to recognize the great
Lee Highway undertaking and to
make 1t an integral part of the whole
This highway now passes
over the Francis Scott Key Bridge
into Washington by a circuitous and
highly congested route. 1t can be
given splendid direct approach over
the brow of the imposing Arlington
Heights. exactly on the prolongation
of the axis of the Mall, passing over
the stream between the mainland and
Columbia Island by a single.arch
bridge. continuing it's course to the
waters edge OF the main channel,
where 1t is proposed to construct q
water gate.
Rome" says the report of the
commission, had its five great ave.
nues Of approach; the Flaminia, the
Praenestina. Aurelia. Ostiensis and
Appian Ways. Washington has none
worthy of the name, but in this pro-
posed terminus of the Lee Highway
will be created the first and most
magnificent of all possible entrances
to the National Capital"
The report continues 1.-The inter-
section Of the axis OF the Mall with
the axis Of Columbia Islands affords
an appropriate spot for a memorial
In the shape of a circular or polyko.
mas temple marking the north end Of
the important Lee Highway. This
treatment would he echoed at the
lower end Of the island, and at an
equal distance below the main plaza
by a memorial or a rest pavilion.
Inc narrow waterway separating the
island from the Virginia shore will
be peculiarly adapted for boating
~ nd To-
popularity as time goes on. A num-
Der Of landing places have been pro-
vided along this channel. Apart from
the formal roads and certain mum.
Der of footpaths. it is recommended
that the island he somewhat densely
planted with trees. so as to cor
respond in appearance, as nearly as
possible, with Analostan Island"
Y X
{ CONTINUING along the main ave-
nue. on the axis of the bridge,
and after crossing over the water
way separating Columbia Island from
the Virginia shore on a small twin
bridge, harmonizing with the main
structure. there will extend a formal
parkway with two roadways and q
space or 'tapic vert" between, bound.
ed by hedges and elms and rising on
slight but uniform grade. This will
lead to the foot Of the steep slope
below the Lee Mansion. Although
the eventual treatment still Is I'M
certain. the present proposal Is to
place the chief memorial entrance
to the cemetery at this point. Ac.
cordingly, a plaza is shown on the
drawings in part excavated into the
side of the hill, whence radiate the
roads to the Memorial Amphitheater,
the Lee Mansion and other parts Of
the cemetery.
The west end Of the plaza will be
| in the form Of a retaining wall 80
feet high, built in semi.circle 226
feet In diameter. The visible face of
this retaining wall is to be decorated
with inches, pilasters and tablets,
bearing appropriate inscriptions. Ac-
| cess will be provided to the terrace
| surmounting this retaining wall,
whence an all-embracing view Of
| the parkway may be obtained-the
columns of Columbia Island, the Me.
mortal Bridge. the Potomac, the Lin
| coin Memorial 5,808 feet distant, the
Washington Monument and, far in
the distance, the glistening white
dome Of the Capitol. Through the
trees to the westward a glimpse Of
the simple and dignified Arlington
Mansion. on top Of the hill, also may
| be obtained.
| 1t Is proposed to leave that portion
of the cemetery grounds intervening
| directly between the main entrance
and the Lee Mansion in practically
Its present informal condition, elm.
mating but two or three trees which
would obstruct the view in both d.
! recttons. The new roads leading up
| to the hill will be so located as to
| have easy grades. and so that they
can be connected easily with the
! present roads. The old roads, how.
ever, will be widened. The present
footpaths will be connected with the
entrance terrace and another added
leading to the southwark. A new
road also is projected leading from
the proposed main entrance to the
ampitheater, thus providing more d.
rect access thereto than is afforded
at present.
An important feature, and one closely
related to the Arlington Bridge project
is the extension of B street eastward
to tn Capitol grounds and the widen
ing Of this street through it's entire
length. This improvement is essen
tial to allow for the fullest use Of
the route over the new bridge to
the National Cemetery. 1t would be
the natural boulevard of approach
from the Capitol. 1t also would be
of great value in diverting a large
portion Of the traffic now congesting
Pennsylvania avenue. B street, un-
der this proposal, will become
throughout splendid boulevard bor-
dering the park system.
Another important and closely re-
lated project is the suitable widening
of Twenty-third street from Washing
ton Circle southwark to B street i'm
mediately north of the Lincoln Me.
mortal. On all important memorial
occasions in Potomac Park or the Ar
lington Cemetery Twenty-third street
thus would become the most impor-
tant north-and.south route. At pres
ent this important approach Is too
narrow to meet the reasonable de-
mands of traffic.