Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-12-28
PLANNERS PROPOSE
HIGHWAY TO SOUTH
Annual Report Sees Route for
Through Traffic to Memo.
rial Bridge.
BY LESTER N. INSKEEP,
staR Correspondent OF The Star.


ARLINGTON COUNTY COURT
HOUSE, Va, December 27.-What is
considered by many. persons here to be
the most interesting recommendation in
the annual report of the National Capt.
tai Park and Planning Commission, in
so far as Arlington County is concerned,
is that the State or local authorities
acquire rights of way for and develop
q new highway to the South, adopting
the upper route surveyed by the Blu
reau of Public Roads of the Depart
ment of Agriculture for the Mount
Vernon Boulevard.
I'm the course of its studies for the
route of the Mount Vernon Memorial
Highway" the report says, "the Bureau
Of Public Roads made a complete sur
vey and estimate for an inland route
along the line recommended by this
commission for the future principal
highway to Richmond and the South.
*ThiS proposed highway would open
q relatively inaccessible and SparSely
populated area and provide route for
through traffic from the South, by
passing Alexandria. to the Memorial
Bridge. The opportunity presented by
the survey of the Bureau of Public
Roads to secure rights of way for this
highway in advance of development is
now open to the State or local author
tiles"
Pledges for Rights of Way.
One of the officials of the Federal
planning body stated today that at the
time this route was under consideration
for the Mount Vernon road approx
mately rs per cent of the rights of way
had been pledged by property owners.
The route bears OF toward the south
west from a point just south Of the
new Arlington Memorial Bridge, skirts
the eastern boundary of the Army Navy
Country Club and continues south to
to q connection with the old Telegraph
road, once the principal thoroughfare
to the South -
The report of the commission makes
known the fact that the Navy Depart
merit asked cooperation of the former
body in the selection of a site for
model basin for the testing of battle
ship models and that the commission
suggested as first choice a site between
the Fort Myer Military Reservation and
the Lee Boulevard, with other areas,
such as near Cabin John. Md, and in
Arlington and Fairfax Counties, as pos
sibilities.
It is understood that the basin as
proposed would occupy considerable area
and would greatly enhance the beauty
Of the section In which located. It is
to replace the present one at the Wash
ington Navy Yard, which is considered
too small. --,.s.
District Planning Urged.
The commission recommends adopt
Ion by the Jurisdictions affected of the
provisions of the act Of State Senator
Frank L. Ball for establishment of
commission to make plans for district
including Alexandria, Arlington County
and parts of Fairfax County, but, which
has an amendment requiring accept
arce of the act by the three authorities
concerned before it comes into effect.
The report comments favorably upon
the recent coming of Arlington County,
stating that the step Is an important
one and should prove a great benefit
not only to Arlington County, but to the
whole Washington. region, which is now
almost wholly .zoned. Further extension
Of coming to Alexandra and parts Of
Fairfax County would be one Of the
benefits of acceptance Of the Ball act,"
the report declares.
Recognizing the fact that it is up
to the Federal Government to provide
the first link Of the Lee Boulevard. If
that highway is TO be ready for use
upon the competitor Of the Arlington
Memorial Bridge. the commission rec
ommends favorable action by Congress
on pending, legislation for the con-
struction Of the road from the bridge
approach, the western boundary of Fort
Myer cemetery, where construction by
the State viii commence. Whether
or not such "a contribution from the
Federal Treasury Is proper Is not for
this commission to say" the report
states, but the need Of an adequate
approach to the new Memorial Bridge,
constructed IN time for the opening
Of the bridge, is obvious"
Details for Parkway.
In referring to the proposed George
Washington Memorial Parkway along
the Potomac River, the report states
that detailed surveys have already
been started and negotiations with
owners OF property along the river are
proceeding, but no contributions had
been received by June, 1880. from the
States Of Maryland or Virginia, or po-
ftical subdivisions thereof, and from
responsible private parties"
Another recommendation Of the COM
mission is for the improvement of the
Rosslyn approach to the Key Bridge and
a detailed drawing of the proper de-
velopment, as seen by the commission,
Is included in the volume.