Evening star., 1935-08-15
NEW YORK AVENUE
PROJECT SPEEDED
AS BILL IS SIGNED
Sultan Takes Steps to Get
Early Start on viaduct
and Underpass.
COMMISSIONERS WEIGH
CHANGES IN HIGHWAYS
Borings to Ascertain Condition
of Subsoil for Abutment to
Be First Move.

Engineer Commissioner Daniel I.
Sultan today took steps for an early
start on a viaduct and underpass
for the railroad tracks north Of New
York avenue northeast, made possible
by a bill signed yesterday by Presi-
dent Roosevelt
The viaduct is to be built over the
railroad right Of way near the line of
Ninth street northeast, and the under
pass will be located partially on the
present line of Eighteenth street
northeast. Highway changes must be
ordered in both cases before orders can
be issued to the railroads to proceed
with construction.
Col. Sultan said hearings already
had been held on changes in high
ways incident to the underpaSs prof.
ect. The Commissioners promptly will
order these changes, most probably
within 10 days, he said.
Engineering studies first must be
made to determine the exact line to
be ordered for the viaduct. The first
step will be borings to ascertain the
condition of the subsoil near New
York avenue, where the southern abut-
mept will be placed.
Commission Meeting Today.
Col. Sultan was to discuss the high
way changes at today's meeting Of the
National Capital Park and Planning
Commission.
The entire cost OF the construction
of the viaduct and the underpass Is
to be borne by the railroad, but the
District will bear the cost of the con-
struction and maintenance of the ap-
proach roads. The cost of the work
on the railroad property is estimated
roughly at about 100000 and that OF
the District work somewhere near
$780, 900. Officials said these figures
are not yet definite.
The new act is an amendment OF
the 1908 act which called for con-
struction of three vehicular crossings.
Civic groups have been campaigning
for more than 20 years to get the pro-
grams started. Congress was con-
vinced by various engineers and city
planners that two crossings would
serve District needs.
The underpass will start at near
the intersection Of New York and West
Virginia avenues, 60 north a distance
along the line of Eighteenth street
and then proceed In the general di-
rection of Montana avenue northeast.
There will be some changes in the
alignment of Eighteenth street and
Montana avenue northeast, as now
on the highway plan.
Terminus Site Yet to Be Picked.
The viaduct will have its northern
approach near T and Ninth streets
and have o. connection also with
T entwood road northeast. The Com
missioners, after studies, will deter
mine the site of the southern terminus.
It may be either at Grade level of New
York avenue or the viaduct may be
carried somewhat farther south. II
the latter is selected there will be by
pass connc IONS directly to New York
avenue, both to the east and west.
The southern end of the viaduct is
to be placed between Fourth street
and the line of Mount Olivet road
under terms of the act. 1t has been
proposed tat there be connections
both to Mount Olivet road and to
Sixth street to provide an outlet to
both the east and south for traffic.
Col. Sultan said determination of
these points would depend on final
from typographical and engi-
neering studies Of the terrain in the
area south of New York avenue as
we'll as the condition of the ground
for the southern abutment of the