Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-03-12

Strengthened avenue can be located
somewhat to the north Of the present
line Of that thoroughfare, he said.
Statement by Capt. Whitehurst.
Capt. Whitehurst explained that the
proposed plan of the National Capital
Park and Planning Commission con-
templates NIL at Brookland avenue
and Michigan avenue and the con-
struction Of viaduct over the
Strengthened thoroughfares. This is an
IDEAL arrangement, he said. but re-
Quires the condemnation of consider
able land, as the overpaSS structure and
the land are estimated to cost $3.50 900.
The 100000 estimate is for the entire
Michigan avenue improvement pro-
gram, on out toward the District line
Capt: WhltehurSt agrees that ultimately
this is desirable.
The length of time required for con-
domination proceedings, the captain
pointed out, is an important factor in
the problem, citing the instance Of
Bennlng road, where the District has
been engaged in proceedings for some
IA years, and of Conduit road, where
the process has been under Way for
about two years.
In order to carry forward the Michi-
gan avenue project. Capt Whitahurst
10 Two years to make the SURVEYS re-
quired, file suit and get the condemna-
ton jury award. While condemnation
proceedings in the District are being
speeded up under the present arrange
ment, Capt Whitehurst said that I'VE
have not had opportunity to get the
fun benefit of the new law" as Justice
Alfred A. Wheat has been on the bench
but short time.
Time Needed for Surveys.
1t would take from two to three
months to prepare the surveys and
necessary maps, which must be ex-
tremely accurate, and to turn the mat
ter over to the Corporation Counsel's
ONCE to enter suit, the captain ex-
planned. The judge appoints the con-
domination jury as soon as the docket
permits, he asserted, and the jurys
survey is variable quantity, as the
Jurors personal business is an impor-
tant factor.
The best that could be hoped for in
actually starting the Michigan avenue
project would be one year." Capt.
WhitehurSt said.
II the money were appropriated now,
it could not be used until the District
could acquire the land, he said.
Capt. WhitehurSt intimated that II
the people object, the Michigan avenue
grade crossing may be left open, and
said that this would save money. for
then the pedestrian underpaSs would not
have to be built.
The work on the Monroe street over
pass is estimated by the engineers to
take about eight months 1t Is eSti-
mated that $3.50 900 will be required to
pave Monroe street.
In the last two years, Capt. White
hurst said, the improvement Of Monroe
street from Rhode Island avenue to
Twelfth street has been carried forward
and the District contemplates carrying
on the improvement to Tenth street, but
the viaduct in the line of Monroe street
has double car track with only IS
feet of roadway, so it has been deemed
desirable to defer the widening of the
street pending the widening Of the
viaduct.
Monroe street has become q very
heavily travelled thoroughfare, from
Michigan avenue, for trafdc travelling
along that street to Rhode Island ave-
nue., which is now one of the favorite
routes to Baltimore. because the con-
struction of the overpaSs at HyattS-
vile, Md, has eliminated the traffic
hazard at that point.
If the plan of the National Capital
Park and Planning Commission becomes
the approved plan, to be followed at
the present time. Capt. Whitehurst
said, it will mean that the present
grade crossing will ultimately be closed
and the present Michigan avenue, on
the down slope beyond the tracks, used
as q low-level road TO serve the abut-
ting property.
Tenth Street Partly Improved.
Tenth street is now improved from
Rhode Island avenue to Lawrence
street. Capt. WhitehurSt asserted, point
ing out that Tenth street is practically
a continuation of Michigan avenue,
where it curves beyond the grade cross
ing. Tenth street, he continued. is
developing into q heavily Travelled high
way.
The District Government, Capt.
WhitehurSt insisted. is in favor Of the
plan Of the National Capital Park and