Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-08-01
PARK COMMISSION
URGES FIFTEENTH
STREET EXTENSION
Gives Approval to Proposal
to Build Bridge Over
Tidal Basin.
D. C. BOARD NOW HAS
DECISION ON PLANS
Thoroughfare Would Join Four
teenth Street and Relieve Con-
gestion of Traffic.

The National Capital Park and Plan
ming Commission announced today its
approval Of proposals to extend FIJI
teenth street from Constitution avenue
across the Monument Grounds and
Tidal Basin, to connect with Fourteenth
street north of Highway Bridge, and for
changes in Fourteenth street from
Water street south to the bridge.
The plans are in line with the scheme
TO develop Fourteenth street in the
vicinity Of Potomac Park in order to
relieve traffic congestion during the
tourist season. They were presented
to the Park and Planning Commission
by the Co-ordinating Committee, of
which Capt Edward N. ChiSolm, jr.,
assistant director of Public Buildings
and Public Parks, is chairman.
Bridge Over Basin.
Under the commissions plan bridge
would be built across the Tidal Basin
In line with Fifteenth street, which
would be extended south from ConStitu-
tion avenue, along the west side of the
United States Treasurer's office and the
Bureau of Engraving into Fourteenth
street.
Whether this proposal will meet with
The approval of the District Commits
sioners, however, is problematical. The
District government is said to favor
the elevation of both sides of Fourteenth
street, with an underpaSs built for the
street car tracks. The Park and Plan
ming Commissions proposal, approving
the present construction of the street,
provides for correction in the align
ment Of the curve near the entrance to
the tourist camp, providing the street
car tracks remain. If they are removed,
however, in accordance with the triangle
Government building program, the
width of Fourteenth street would be
increased from the present SO feet to
60 feet.
Funds are now available for the re-
paving of Fourteenth street from the
Bureau of Engraving and Printing
through Potomac Park, it was said, but
an appropriation must be secured from
Congress before Fifteenth street can be
cut through.
1t is the opinion of the Park
and Planning Commission that with
Fifteenth street extended, many auto
mobiles that must now follow Fourteenth
street would take the shorter route
uptown, thus relieving congestion along
the car line.
Service Street Needed.
Should Fourteenth street be elevated,
a service street would have to be pro-
vided in the vicinity of the Agriculture
Department. A survey Of this phase Of
the subject will be made in conjunction
with officials of the Agriculture Depart
ment before final plans are approved.
Honoring Fred G. Coldren. former
secretary of the Park and Planning
Commission. the commission voted to
name q hill at Fort du Pont in his
honor. Mr.. Coldren is understood to
have always been fond Of this hill.
The commission was informed that
the regional traffic survey, sponsored
by the Bureau of Public Roads, the
planning body and Maryland and Vir-
ginia agencies has been begun, and is
expected to be well under way within
another month. A year is expected to
be required for its completion.
Plans for the development Of play
grounds and recreational parks at Fort
Foote and Fort Hunt also were consid-
cred by the commission.