Evening star., 1940-01-14

~S~A>A NSSoNS Az Wy Az lllCd1lS Il.
The streetcar system is certainly
more efficient today than it was 10
years ago, before the merger of the
two former systems and the elimina-
ton OF Wasteful duplicating routes.
Provision of new rolling stock of i'm
proved design and operating eff
cheney still is in progress as the
decade begins.
Nor has Washington's Water-borne
traffic been overlooked in the pro-
VISION OF new terminal facilities. The
long-sought Washington Channel
waterfront program is we'll under
way, with the first years unit COM
pleted and the second started. New
wharf facilities for river steamers
are projected as a part of this pro-
gram and should become a reality
before the decade is too far ad-
Vanced.
The opening of the new decade,
however, finds the new airport oc-
cupylng the local transportation
spotlight, and rightly, since it is the
major effect of its kind since the
construction of Union Station.
With the great 18,50OO0O cubic
yard hydraulic fill completed in
record time and design work
lar advanced on terminal and
technical buildings of the most
modern functional types and
OF unusual architectural beauty,
the airport is progressing well
ahead of schedule. It is ex-
pected that bids for construction of
the buildings will be advertised on
or before February l, and that con-
structlon will begin not later than
March l.
Plans are being made for dedica-
tlon ceremonies July 4, at which
time the flying field is expected
10 be completed. The entire termi-
nal Is expected to be ready for oc-
cupation by Labor day, according to
officials of the Civil Aeronautics
Authority. This will be possible be-
cause work has gone forward with
amazing rapidity during the past
year, backed by the full driving
power OF the c. A. A., the Army En-
gineers, the Public Works Admins
tratlon, the Works Progress Admin
lstratlon, the Procurement Division
OF the Treasury Department and
other Federal agencies.
When the feet of powerful hv-
draulic dredges completed filling
the airport proper on December g,
they had finished in just few days
more than one year task which
mad been expected, in the ordinary
course OF events, to require nearly
45 years of routine dredging opera
tons A few days later. all dredg-
ing was finished with the compile
ton of the fill for the new site of
Mount Vernon highway.
Holiday Task.
During Christmas week the sluice
gates in the airport levee were
opened and water began to drain off
the flying field fill; Washingtonians
awoke to the fact that what, only a
few days before, they had still con-
sldered riverside marshland actually
was great airport site raised far
above the level of the highest flood
ever known along this part OF the
river. High ridges of sand and
gravel, rising as much as 25 feet
above the Potomac, marked the
lines of the runways. Drainage
completed, these ridges will be lev
eled off to permit early paving of
the runWays. Turf will be grown
on the vast acreage between the
runWays.
Relocation of Mount Vernon
highway will eliminate the present
detour through the airport building
area and will eventually shorten
the distance between Washington
and Alexandria. The new roadway
will be located between the airport
buildings Including the new high
way research buildings of the Pub
lie Roads Administration, which
are slated for enlargement and con-
version into headquarters for the
G. A. Al and the railroad. Heavy
paintings cf trees and shrubbery
will mask the railroad yards. The
highway will command magnif-
cent views of the airport, the river
and the hills beyond.
No capital air terminal in the
world will compare with Wash
lngton's new airport in technical
perfection or esthetic character, in
the opinion of officials in charge
of its design and construction
Careful study of the worlds out
standing airports has been a part
of their background work. and the
Gravelly Point project will COM
bine not only the best features OF
the most modern terminals but some
very advanced designing. 1t also
will embody the features of a great
formal park, beautifully planned
and Handicapped to make it more
than worthy neighbor of Mount
Vernon highway and an integral
part of George Washington Park
way.
Although large automobile park
ing areas are planned they will not
be eXpanses of barren paving wher
vacant. They will be paved with
granite blocks, through which grass
will grow to give the freshness OF
well-kept lawns. Every feature Of
the terminal will reflect the same
care and attention to detail. Though
planned with an eye to the most
efficient functional use the airport
structures also are designed to pro.
vide a magnificent architectural
composition.
Look to Future.
Functionally, the terminal il
planned to handle not only existing
air traffic but that which present
trends indicate may be expected a;
far in the future as can be fore.
seen. The airplane loading gang.
ways, for instance, will be of two.
level design to provide ground.
level loadings for the present con.
| ye1tiOnal aircraft and hichlevo