Evening star., 1939-09-24
Elimination Of Three
Major Crossingsin
D. T.. Area Planned
londover, Berwyn, The
Plains Work Expected
Within Year

Three of the IL remaining major
grade crossings in the District met
ropolitan area will be eliminated in
little more than a years time, 1t was
learned yesterday.
Two crossings in Maryland and
one in Virginia, according to r. E.
Royal, of the Information Division
of the Public Roads Administration,
have been apportioned funds
amounting to more than $237 900 for
reconstruction or improvement.
At the Landover, Nd, grade
crossing, where a Washington mo-
torist was killed Wednesday in q COL
lision with train, $50, 900 has been
awarded for construction of an over
pass. Yesterday the Public Roads
Administration approved submitted
plans on this program, along with
those for another project at Berwyn,
Md, where $150,0O0 has been allot-
ted for erection of an overpass to
eliminate an existing grade crossing.
According to the administration,
the third grade crossing scheduled
for elimination, located at The
Plains, Va, has been Withdrawn
from the program, although $33, ,708
has been apportioned to correct the
present condition. 1t was thought
this project might now be undergo
ing a new survey for possible revi-
sion OF plans by State authorities.
The administration said this with
drawal did not necessarily mean
the project would be permanently
halted. Possible revival was fore
seen within a year.
Authorities said the crossing at
Bristow, Va, several miles beyond
Manassas, would probably remain
status quo for years to come because
of the secondary nature of the con-
dition and the comparatively small
now OF traffic at the intersection.
Fatal Mishaps at 8 Crossings.
An American Automobile Associa-
ton survey, taken several years ago,
showed deaths from auto train acci-
dents have occurred at the Bristow
crossing as well as at Landover. Ber-
wyn and The Plains. OF the IL
crossings in this area, eight have
been the scene of fatal accidents,
according to A. A. A. statistics. The
other four fatalities occurred at
Beltsville, Md; Haymarket, Va:
Manassas, Va, and Riverdale, Md.
The Riverdale intersection is on a
stub road, branching from Route l
near Hyattsville; chances for its
elimination seem small since the
track there is used principally for
siding boxcars.
The four intersections where no
fatal accidents have been reported
are Forest Glen, Md; a second
crossing near Manassas, Va, and
both crossings in the vicinity of
Gaithersburg, Md.
Two deaths have occurred in re-
cent years at Falls Church (Va0
grade crossings which are not listed
IN the A. A. A. survey. The elec-
trified Washington & Old Dominion
Railway crosses the Lee highway,
the Leesburg turnpike and nu-
merous other important thorough
fares on its way to Bluemont, Va,
The tracks Of the Arlington and
Fairfax Auto Railer, now unused.
also make numerous highway cross
mgs. This latter line accounted for
one OF the deaths at Falls Church.
Federal Grant Decreased.
Mr.. Royal said the Federal grant
to the Public Roads Bureau for this
fiscal year was decreased by $685.
100000 against that of the last
fiscal year. For 1899 Congress ap-
propriated 100000 for public
roads, $50 1000, 900 of which was ear
marked for the elimination of grade
crossings throughout the Nation.
The 1910 appropriation totaled
$135 ,000, 900, with only $40 900 900 set
aside for grade-crossing projects.
The question is often raised
whether railroad companies assist
IN defraying costs of eliminating
such danger spots as grade cross
ings. The Public Road Administra-
tion praised the attitude of the
railroad firms for the cooperative
spirit shown by them in assisting
the Federal agency in reconstructine
and correcting conditions at cross