Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-02-05
VIRGINIA HIGHWAY
TO FALLS IS URGED
Citizens Start Movement to
Have Toll Road Taken
Into State System.

Faced with a growing realization Of
the utter inadequacy of Virginia's lone
approach to the Great Falls Of the
Potomac. legislators, park officials and
citizens of northern Virginia have joined
In a concerted movement 10 replace the
present narrow toll road with broad
public highway overlooking the Potomac
palisades
With the support OF State Senator
Frank L. Ball and other leading Viz
ginians. the Virginia Park and Planning
Commission and the corporation which
owns and maintains the toll road from
Langley 10 Great Falls and Dranesville
have carried an urgent appeal direct TO
Gov. Byrd. the State Highway Commis-
sion and the General Assembly,
All these interests have united In a
determined effort 10 convince the
authorities OF the Old Dominion that
its obligations To the national govern
ment demand that Virginia provide a
free, spacious, publicly owned boule-
ward from the National Capital along
the Potomac gorge TO the Falls.
Toll Road Is Dangerous.
Virginia has promised to cooperate
with the Federal park commissions in
their park development program for
nearby Virginia. II is pointed out. and
such cooperation should include at
the great parkways planned on the
upper Potomac by the National Capital
Park and Planning Commission.
Gov Byrd has been advised that the
citizens of Virginia and elsewhere who
wish 10 view the scenic splendors Of the
Falls from the Virginia side must use
an extremely narrow. priyateiy-owned
road. the last mile OF which into the
Falls is virtually impossible In rainy
weather.
For the use OF this hazardous road
the motorists must pay toll of IS cents.
which goes toward maintenance OF the
macadam surface over an il-mile
stretch. The users OF this inadequate
road regard the toll as an "affroni"
Gov Byrd has been advised by the
company which collects the fees.
Gov Byrd has been informed by the
State Highway Commission that the
appeals for elimination OF the toll gate
and improvement OF the road are well
founded. but the commission is re-
luctant TO take over the project at this
time. in view OF the necessity for I'M
proving the highway from Tyson's
Crossroads 10 Leesburg.
A bill for inclusion OF the road In the
State system has been prepared for in
PRODUCTION In the Legislature. and is
now In the hands OF It's sponsors In
Richmond.
The Virginia Park Commissions
plea for improvement of the road was
20 tt,a in
ernor. as follows
"A bill has been introduced In the
Congress OF the United States to Gre
ate a great park 10 embrace the gorge
OF the Potomac River from Washington
10 Great Falls The creation Of such a
park would, undoubtedly. be of incalcu-
liable value To the entire State OF Vir-
ginia Within the area mentioned ma
ture has provided unriva!ed scenic
beauty. which must be preserved for the
benefit OF the public
Urges Cooperation.
The greater portion of the area pro-
posed to be embraced In this Potomac
gorge park, including the Great Fails,
one OF the beauty spots OF our State.
Is accessible only by means of the toll
road from Langley 10 Drainesville,
burg pike
IT Is believed that this road should
be pre- mptly taken into the State high.
way system and improved In view ot
the plans OF The Federal Government,
and the Importance of this road (which
Is the most direct route from Washing
ton 10 Leesburg,, II should no longer re-
main toll road
1T Is clear that the utmost OF CO.
operation should be given by the State
Of Virginia In the matter OF providing
adequate highways leading 10 and from
the bridges across the Potomac and
the State highway commissioner should
be empowered In do whatever Is necca-
sary In this respect.
In conclusion. your commission cam
not too strongly urge upon tho men,
1ers ot the Legislature OF Virginia the
Importance ot these matters. and the
serious consequences that are certain
To result from delay This commission
has no funds whatever available Tor ITS
works We can only repeat that there
should he some Affirmative action by
The State of Virginia,
Mere willingness Ia cooperate H. In
olr humble opinion, totally insuftiei~
ent reapanse to the proposals o, the
United States, and It's ereetinn OF area,
bridges over the Potomac
The commission ineloaed To the gov
ernor q bill that would provide for the
setting aside OF q definite area within
Virginia tn constitute the Vifainla met
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