Evening star., 1941-10-21
City Heads Appeal
For Quick Action
On Traffic Needs
Congressional Leaders
Urged to Help Speed
Five Major Projects

"A special appear was mdue lOudy
by the Commissioners to members
of Congress for immediate provi-
sion for several major traffic relief
projects which have been under
study by District officials
The Commissioners were repre-
sented by Commissioner Guy Ma
son. who called first on Chairman
Randolph of the House District
Committee and planned TO confer
also with other members of Con-
gress in a position to lend hand
in getting something done now.
Five major projects were listed
informally by the city heads. on
two of which some progress already
has been made-the huge grade
separation structure for Fourteenth
street and Maine avenue S.W. and
the projected elevated freeway to
run along the line Of K street from
Rock Greek to Key Bridge
The other three items. for which
money still is lacking for prepara-
ton of engineering plans and speci-
fications. although all three are
listed in the highway traffic survey
report to Congress. are:
An underpass for Dupont Circle,
development of a series Of bypass
arrangements for the complicated
and highly congested old Central
Library square, and an underpass at
Thirteenth street and New York
avenue NV.
Rail Conference Urged.
The latter project would be so de-
signed that if, in the future. it was
decided to develop Thirteenth street
as a depressed highway. the struc-
ture at New York avenue would tie
in with it, except for the ramps.
At the same time. Engineer Com
missioner Charles w. Kutz revealed
that he had written to officials of
three railroads-the Pennsylvania,
the Baltimore & Ohio and the Rich
mond, Fredericksburg & Potomac
as to what might be done soon to
establish or to improve railroad
commuter service from the suburbs
to points near the downtown busi-
ness zone. Gen. KutZ said it was
hoped conference could be ar
ranged soon for thorough analysis
of the situation.
Also. today, Commissioner Mason
announced that he was in favor OF
going the whole way" on the pro-
posal to require that off street ga
rage space be provided for new
buildings erected for human occu-
pancy before construction permits
were granted. He said he believed
this could be done by the Commits
sioners by regulation and that legis-
lation would not be necessary. He
added he believed Congress would
be in sympathy with the move.
Financing Not Determined.
Just how the proposed additional
highway traffic relief projects would
be financed was not determined, al
though the Commissioners made it
clear they felt the United States
should accept very substantial
financial responsibility.
Some hope is held also that some
OF the financing may come from the
new Defense Highway Act for 194l,
which has passed the Senate and
now awaits action by the House.
This provides financing for access
roads, and it would be necessary
that the Public Roads Administra-
ton certify new projects under this
category before funds could be allo-
Gated for them.
Some District officials emphasized
that the first thing needed for such
projects as those planned for Dupont
Circle. the Central Library square
and the intersection of Thirteenth
and New York avenue would be
funds for engineering studies and
preparation of plans.