Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-03-14
c. w. Eliot Says Improve
ments Outlined by Commits
SionerS Should Be Authorized.
URGES MONROE STREET
0VERPASS BE REBUILT
Disagrees With Col. Grant, Who
Holds That the Structure Still
Is Serviceable.

of the National Capital Park and Plan
ming Commission, today added his voice
to those favoring the Strengthening of
Michigan avenue, In the area, where
1t crosses the tracks of the Metropon-
tan Branch of the Baltimore g. Ohio
Railroad, and the construction Of an
adequate overpass in this realigned
thoroughfare, thus eliminating the
hazardous grade crossing at the Univer-
Sity railroad station, near the Catholic
University Of America.
Mr.. Eliot believes the Monroe street
overpass, just to the east of Michigan
avenue grade crossing, should be i'm
proved Immediately, as contemplated In
the legislation proposed by the District
authorities for the District appropria-
lion Dill, now being written by the
Rouse appropriations committee. The
city planner does not agree with IdelIt.
Col: U. g.. Grant, Sd, vice chairman
and executive officer of the commission,
VINO believes that the present Monroe
street overpasS is still Serviceable and
tnat 1t would be mistake to expend
money on it now, as Is proposed in q
$50, 600 item, forwarded to the Capitol
py the District Government, through the
Bureau OF the Budget, for inclusion in
the District appropriation bill.
City Planners Statement.
=! think it is a mistake to close
Michigan avenue, as provided for in the
current appropriation measure" as
serted Mr.. Eliot. "I do not think a
r1ght-angle turn in Michigan avenue at
Tenth and Monroe streets will be salts
factory In the future. Personality am
not here speaking the mind of the COM
mlsSlon-1 have always thought that q
Drloge north OF the present line of
Michigan avenue over the railroad would
De necessary and, If its cost is compared
70 bridge Of similar width on any
other line, 1t would be the cheapest
route"
Mr.. Eliot said he believed the ultimate
solution Of the Michigan avenue grade
crossing is to go north Of the present
hcmeS on the avenue, near the. Univer-
s1ty Station of the Baltimore d Ohio
Railroad, without touching either the
Catholic University's chemical labora-
tory or the station.
Affords Better Alignment.
The city planner recalled that the
arguments advanced for this solution
are that it affords q better alignment
for Michigan avenue and there Is less
interference with existing buildings.
Tentative plans for the Strengthened
Michigan avenue call for q 25-foot cut
back at the road going into the station
to provide for the overpass there. The
overpasS in the Strengthened Michigan
avenue would be the same pavement
width as Michigan avenue, Mr.. Eliot
EXPLAINED
The objection advanced to placing an
overpass In the existing line Of Michigan
avenue, so as to eliminate the grade
crossing there, Mr.. Eliot recalled, IS that
the grade would be too steep, because
Of the slope in Michigan avenue westsof
the railroad tracks. Then, too, such a
viaduct would be practically a wall
against the houses located on the down
slope, on the other side of the railroad
tracks.
Mr. Eliot secuted any idea that an
overpasS over the Baltimore g. Ohio
Railroad tracks at Michigan avenue In
its Strengthened line, just to the north
Of the present location, would over.
shadow any of the buildings Of the
Catholic University.
Monroe Street Work Urged.
The widening Of Monroe street and
construction Of an improved viaduct e
desirable at this time, but not as Q
solution Of the Michigan avenue prob
lem, declared Capt. Z. N. Chisolm, r.,
engineer Of the NISional Capital Park
and Planning Commission. This ques-
ton was brought Up before the co-ordi-
mating committee, of which Capt. CHS
ohm Is chairman, and that body APP
proved of the Improvements and Wild
ening OF Monroe street. It did not,
however, vote for the closing of Michi-
gan avenue, as proposed In the suggeS-
ton OF the District government now
pending before the House appropria-
tions committee, drafting the District
of Columbia supply bill for the fiscal
year beginning on July /, the captain
said.
After the co-ordinating committee
had taken action the National Capital
Park and Planning Commission went on
record as considering that the widening
of Monroe street is desirable, but not as
q solution Of the Michigan avenue via
duct and other problems pertaining to
this development.
Would Extend Michigan Avenue.
Capt. Chisolm said he considers that
it is important that Michigan avenue
be continued on to the District line and
that the viaduct in that thoroughfare
should be constructed. The closing OF
Michigan avenue forever" at the grade
crossing. as the District government
suggests, Is not the intent of the CO.
ordinating committee or Of the National
Capital Park and Planning Commission,
in the opinion of Capt. Chisolm.
Capt. Chisolm asserted Michigan ave-
nue. should be improved, but he does
not consider that the Monroe street
should be held up pending
the Michigan avenue viaduct expansion
Michigan avenue should be extended
so that it can connect satisfactorily
with the Maryland road system to give
another inlet into the District, instead
Of crowding traffic onto Rhode Island
avenue and Bladensburg road.
The co-ordinating committee, which
Capt Chisolnn heads, has In its mem
bership representatives Of the District
the National Capital Park
and Planning Commission, the United
States engineer office, the ONCE of public
buildings and public parks, the national
park service of the Interior Department.,
! citizen at large, the secretary of
Lieut.. Col. U. s. Grant, Sd, vice chair.
nan and executive officer of the conn
mission, and the Maryland and Virginia
CAPITAL Park and PLANNING