Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-06-17
SPANS TO PREVENT
ARTER|AL TRAFFIC
, IN PARK IS PUSHED.
Finnan to Seek Three High.
Level Bridges Over Rock
Creek Valley.
CONFERENCES SLATED
WITH D. C. OFFICIALS
Capital Parks Superintendent
Hopes TO Preserve Drives for
Ieisnrely Travel.

Renewed interest IN the proposal OF
che National Capital Park end Plan
ming Commission TO construct three
hiph-leveI bridges across Rock Greek
VALLEY In the District was expressed
today by C. Marshall Finnar, superin-
tepdent Of the National Capital Parks,
10 announcing that he does not pro-
pose 10 have that park area turned
into an srterial highway, now that
new roads and bridges are being built
IN the southern section. He Will con-
fey with District Government surhorl-
ties in an effort to see what can be
Done toward constructing the nigh
level bridges OF an early date
A topographic survey of Rock Creek
Valley is very much needed, John
Nolen, jr. the commissions director
Of planning said today. 80 as 10 oe-
termine the best exact location for
the high-leVeI bridges. These cross
ings of the valley are now included nn
the commissions plans and the major
thoroughfsre plan. he explained. but
engineering details are needed 10
round out the picture.
Relocation Sought.
The Pierce Mill Road Bridge over
Piney Branch will have 70 be replaced
shortly, Nolen declared, and studies
ere heine made by the commission for
q relocation Of the bridge 10 lie IN
with the high-level structure program
Finnan made it clear that he de-
sires 10 preserve the character of
Rock Greek Valley as pleasure drive
END does not look with favor or any
DEVELOPMENT that would TEND TO make
It. a. high4speed thoroughfsre. With
construction now under wsy and con-
femplsted. it will be possible for mo-
florists to drive by daylight from the
Lincoln Memorial, all through Rock
Creek Valley. up TO the East West
Highway in Montgomery County. Md.
As the National Geological Park gates
ere closed ct shutdown. motor trafic
through that section of the valley is
blocked OF after dark.
Sites Proposed.
One NJ the proposed high-JeVel
bridges spanning Rock Greek would
connect T1lden street and Linnean
avenue on the west with Upshur
street End also with a projected con-
nection running to the Pierce Mil
Road Bridge. The second high-leVel
bridge would connect the intersection
nj Military road, Daniel road and the
extension Of Utah avenue on the west
SIDE with Kennedy street on the east
Nolen pointed out that this route is
the obvious one for the cross-town bus
line projected by Peoples Counsel
William A. Roberts.
This would travel down Military
road. scross the hieh-level bridge TO
Kennedy street. 10 South Dakota
svenue. Nolen suggested
The third high Level bridge would
be ar the north end of Rock Creek
Valley within the District at tbe north
valley 20 Aspen street. Walter Reed
Hospital authorities have vigorously
objected to linking up Aspen street
in this manner officials recalled today,
contendtng that it would interfere
With the hospital development.
Would Add Routes.
The three high-leYel bridges, Finnsn
enc NoIen agreed. would aid mate
rally in Washipgtop's traffic problems
and would not interfere with tbe north
and south chara cter Of Rock Greek
Park, tending 10 preserve the park
aspect OF the valley While no COM
mercisl traf1c is TO be permitted on
the new roads 10 Rock Greek Valley
nor in the park the officials foresee
the danger Of it being utilized a. an
srterial highway to speed passenger
vehicles. To Offset this and enable
motorists TO transfer rapidly from one
section OF the city TO another. the
authorities would like TO see the high
level bridges built Immediately to
overcome the present traffic barrier Of
Rock Greek Valley.