Evening star., 1941-05-18
House HEARINGS;
Set on Bridge,
Tunnel Plan
District and Nearby
Virginia Officials
Called Thursday
By JAMES E. CHINN.

A move initiated in January by
Representative Smith, Democrat,
of Virginia, to provide additional
urgently needed traffic facilities
across the Potomac River, connect
ing the District and nearby Virginia,
will be given first congressional con-
sideration this week.
The House Public Buildings and
Grounds Committee will begin hear
ings Thursday at 10 am. on a bill
sponsored by Mr.. Smith, authorlz-
ing surveys and estimates OF a
comprehensive plan for conStruc-
ton of motor vehicle and railroad
tunnels in addition to a new bridge.
Called as the initial witnesses are
representatives of District govern
ment, the Washington Board Oh
Trade, the National Capital Park
and Planning Commission. the Com
mission of Fine Arts, the Engineers
office of the War Department and
officials of Arlington County and
the city of Alexandria.
Special Commission Provided.
The bill provides for creation OF
a special commission to investigate
and report to Congress "as soon as
practical" the practicabiity and ap-
proximate cost of combination
bridge and tunnels across the Poto-
mac. The commission would be
composed of the President, the pres
ident of the Senate, the Speaker
of the House and the chairman OF
the House Public Buildings and
Grounds Committee.
Execution of the surveys and
preparation of estimates would be
carried out by an advisory board
under general supervision of the
Secretary of Interior.
Mr.. Smiths bill suggests:
!. A combination bridge for auto
mobile and railroad traffic that
would replace the antiquated high
way and nearby railroad spans.
Railroad Tunnel Listed.
2. A railroad tunnel, running from
some point in Virginia south OF the
Gravelly Point bird sanctuary to
connect with existing railroad tracks
leading into Union Station and the
Benning freight yards from South
west Washington.
3. A tunnel for commercial vehi-
cles, starting at a point near the
bird sanctuary on the Virginia side,
connecting with Southwest Wash
ington.
4. A new boulevard for vehicular
traffic to connect with the proposed
new bridge and tunnels in both the
District and Virginia.
Mr.. Smith said that despite the
projects listed in the bill for study,
he has no fixed idea" as to where
or how many tunnels or bridges
should be constructed.
Two-Lane Tube Urged.
Construction Of two-lane traffic
tube under the Potomac connecting
Alexandria with the District in the
vicinity of Blue Plains was recently
suggested in a report on the result
of an extensive Highway survey
made jointly by the District High
way Department and the Public
Roads Administration. The pro-
posed tube was estimated to cost
approximately $9,500,0O0. This re-
port also recommended new bridge
across the Anacostia River starting
at the foot of South Capitol street.
The estimated cost was placed at
e4,500, 900.
Those invited to testify at the
committee hearing include Capt. H.
C. Whitehurst, director of highways
of the District; County Manager
Frank C. Hanrahan of Arlington,
City Manager Carl Budwesky of
Alexandria, F. Freeland Chew, chair
man of the Arlington County Board;
Col. P. M. Anderson, consulting
architect, and Paul A. Hill, secretary
of the Arlington County Chamber
of Commerce.