Evening star., 1936-08-12
ARCH TO CORRECT
KEY BRIDGE SAG
WILL Be PUSHED
Support for 152-Foot Span
on Virginia Side to Cost
$334,0O0.
PLAN is PREFERRED
TO TUNNEL METHOD
Bureau of Roads to Supervise
Construction When Money
Becomes Available.

The need of correcting percepti-
BILE sag, in the Virginia side OF Key
Bridge, caused by settling of the man.
made embankment. was cited by en-
gineers today as prime reason for
Fastening erection of an additional
supporting arch.
Secretary of the Interior Ickes al
ready has approved a $334000 allot-
ment for the arch. in preference to
boring through the steep bank for the
extension of the George Washington
Memorial Parkway upstream.
There Is no immediate or prospec-
tive danger from the sag, which is
quite noticeable to persons crossing
the bridge. Yet the condition must be
remedied before the paving sinks. en-
gineers explained. and the time to do
it is in connection with the extension
Of the parkway.
While it would have been somewhat
less expensive to construct a tunnel
for a roadway, officials of the Ma
tional Capital Park and Planning
Commission pointed out today that
even in that event it would be neces-
sary to correct the defect in the
bridge.
152-Foot Span.
The proposed arch would provide a
152-foot span and would remove the
cause of the sag in the bridge. The
present arch support on the Vir-
ginia shore is directly on the water
line. At that point the low Virginia
shore was filled in until it represents a
steep hillside. In recent years the
land has settled and the sag in the
bridge is particularly noticeable in the
cement guards and sidewalks. The
main roadway also appears TO be sag
ging slightly in spots.
This condition in the bridge was
recognized at the outset by engineers
engaged in studying plans for the ex-
tension of the parkway. While it
would be simpler to build a tunnel, it
would be necessary to spend much
money and effort to fill the portion
under the bridge that Is settling.
With one existing arch resting on
solid ground the engineering job
ahead will consist of removing all of
the present embankment to. take care
Of the wide span. Then it will be
necessary, after the road is built un-
der it. to get an even. gradual grade
to the necessary level of the bridge.
Engineers said the proposed park
way would be built Is feet above
water level, which they explained
would afford ample protection from
Spring freshets in the Potomac.
Complete Protection.
The 152-foot span would extend
almost to the Rosslyn terminus of
the bridge. which is built onto solid
ground. The span would completely
protect that portion of the bridge
affected by the sag.
Aside from remedying this defect.
officials explained that the span would
be a great improvement over a tun-
mel. Original plans for the tunnel
provided for a width of about 10
feet and the parkway under the
bridge probably will be made consid-
erably wider.
Another scheme in connection with
the new arch was revealed today. A
stone boat wharf, or sea wall. will be
built at the existing pier on the Vir-
ginia side. Due to the thick under
growth and trees along the shore
there is no convenient place that can
be used by boatmen.
The preliminary plans for extension
Of the parkway were made by engi-
neers of the National Capital Park
and Planning Commission in con-
junction with the United States Bu-
reau of Public Roads. When the
money for the new arch is made
available the Bureau of Roads will
supervise the construction.