The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1935-07-08
END SEEN
FOR Z FATAL
CROSSINGS

fCOIAV1bLC, NIL, July o.
Early elimination of two danger
Gus railroad grade crossings in
Montgomery county, scenes Of
several fatal accidents in the last
few years, loomed as a possibility
today as county and State Off.
Gals signified their willingness to
cooperate in the movement
launched by civic organizations
many months ago.
One of the crossings is at Ken
sington, scene of a crash which
several years ago resulted in the
deaths of seven persons. This
crossing has been branded by the
American Automobile Association
as the most dangerous in the
county.
The other is at Rockville. It
was the scene of the school bus
crash which three months ago
snuffed out the lives of IA Will
Transport (Md0 high school stu
dents. The bus in which they
were returning from a chemistry
lecture at the University Of Mary
land was struck by a Baltimore
and Ohio express train.
It has been estimated by local
residents that about 20 persons
have lost their lives at this cross
ing within 10 years.
Projects Long Delayed
Both crossings have been listed
on the approved list of projects
of the Maryland State Roads
Commission in the past few
years, but due to lack of funds
and conflicting opinions as to
how the crossings should be
eliminated, by an underpass or
overpass, work on them has been
delayed.
The present survey of a route
for elimination of the Kensing-
ton crossing calls for the con-
struction of an overpass about
two blocks west of the present
grade crossing. And through the
efforts of the Kensington Cham
Der of Commerce and other local
organizations, all but two of the
required rights of way have been
obtained, it was learned today
from washington I. Cleveland,
president of the chamber of COM
MERGE.
Although residents Of Kensing-
ton, and officials of the local
civic organizations have been as
sured by the State roads officials
that work on the elimination OF
the grade crossing will get under
way as soon as the State receives
its allotment of Federal funds,
about August or September. they
are preparing this week to solicit
the aid of the Board of County
Commissioners. the Park and
Planning Commission and other
influential residents of the county
in keeping this project before the
eyes of the State roads officials
to insure it's early completion.
Three Plans Offered
For the elimination Of the
Rockville crossing, the State
roads officials have offered three
plans, two of which call for con-
struction of overpasses a short
distance east of the present cross
ing, and the other calling for an
underpass west of the crossing.
H. L. Smith, chief engineer Of
the State roads commission, said
today the commission is ready to
proceed with work on the project
as soon as the State receives it's
four million dollar allotment from
the PWA, and the commission is
informed which elimination pro-
posal is most favored by Rockville
residents.
In an effort to bring about the
elimination of this crossing as
soon as possible, it was learned to-
day, the Republican State central
committee Of Montgomery county
will call a mass meeting soon
when the various elimination pro-
posals will be discussed and an at
tempt made to center the con-
flicting opinions on one specific
plan.