Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-06-21
ALEXANDRIA CEDES
STREET AS HIGHWAY
Gives Washington Thorough
fare as Connecting Link in
Mt. Vernon Boulevard.
cial Dispatch to The Star.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
ALEXANDRIA, Va, June Ala
contract granting the Federal Govern
ment washington street as a right-of-
way for the Mount Vernon boulevard, tc
pass through this city, was approved
by the city council at its meeting at
City Hall yesterday, and Mayor William
Albert Smoot was authorized to sign the
document and return 1t to Arthur M.
Hyde. Secretary of Agriculture.
The contract does not disclose when
the Government will start construction
work on the memorial highway, which
will link Washington and Mount YER
non by one of the finest stretches OF
roadway in the world. However the
boulevard will be ready for dedication
February %, 1882, when the 200th an
niversary of George Washington's birth
will be observed with national cele-
bration, provided for by an act OF Con-
gress.
To Maintain width.
Fears of abutting property owners
that Washington street would have to
be widened for the boulevard are al
layed by the contract. which sets forth
that the present width of the street
will be maintained from Montgomery
To Franklin streets.
200-foot right of way at the northern
extremity OF the city and another of the
same width at the southern limits to
assure ample room for any future
widening of the road, If necessary, along
the sections of Washington street that
are at present undeveloped.
The northern 200-foot right of way
will run from Montgomery street to the
northern corporation line, while the
ILL
franklin street to the north shore Of
Hunting Creek
BY terms of the contract the Secre-
tary of Agriculture shall have full and
executive authority over maintenance
and reconstruction of the boulevard, in
Guiding that portion within the city
limits. The city also has agreed to ac-
uuire by purchase or condemnation any
land desired for the highway. All costs,
including legal. where condemnation is
necessary. are to be borne by the Gov
eminent.
City to Pay One Fourth.
The contract further provides that
the boulevard can be reconstructed or
repaired by the Government when
necessary, with the city paying one
fourth of the cost of the work on
Washington street from Franklin to
montgomery streets.
The city must reimburse the Govern
ment for its share of the improve
ment costs within 80 days following
the close of each Federal fiscal year.
The document also binds the city to
zone Washington street, including all
extensions; to eliminate all billboards
and other advertising signs or devices
within 200 feet of each side of the
boulevard, except where the signs are
attached to a building in which the
business advertised is conducted.
The coming ordinance also will re-
strict Washington street to residential
and business development of such
character and of such type buildings
"in keeping with the dignity. purpose
and memorial character Of the high
way
To Have Right Of Way.
As is the case along all boulevards,
traffic on Washington street will be
given preference over all traffic on
intersecting streets and stop" signs
will be placed at all intersections, exc
cept those where the city and Secre-
tary of Agriculture mutually agree
shall be controlled by electric signal
lights.
The city will provide the electric
traffic control signals for intersections
where steam or electric railway tracks
cross the highway The future con-
struction of any steam or electric rail-
way tracks is prohibited by clause
of the contract.
The city council, by authorizing the
signing of the contract, also agrees to
pass and enforce any ordinance con-
sidered necessary for the control and
safety Of vehicles and pedestrian traf-
fic on the boulevard, including limita-
lions on the size, kind, weight, speed
and parking of vehicles.