Evening star., 1941-04-02
City Heads Ask Study
On Span or Tube as
Link 10 Alexandra
Need Made More Urgent
By Increasing Traffic,
Commissioners Soy
BY DON. S. WARREN.

BY DUN. >. WARREN.
Hope that Congress will authorize
prompt studies and technical surveys
Of q possible new bridge or tunnel
for a crossing of the Potomac River
between the District and Alexandria
was voiced today by Commissioners
John Russell Young and David
McCoach.
They declared they felt that in
creasing traffic congestion over the
present bridges and on approach
roads made the proposal more
urgent, particularly in view of ma
tional defense.
The suggestion for bridge which
might run from or near Shepherds
Landing in Blue Plains, D. c., to
Alexandria, they said, Is complicated
by two factors:
One, that if the bridge were too
high it might interfere with planes
going to or from Boiling Field and
the Naval Airport and possibly the
Washington National Airport at
Gravelly Point; and two, that If the
span were too low 1t might interfere
with warships going to the Navy
Yard. or cause its draw span to be
raised too often for other Potomac
shipping.
Tube Would Cost 10 Million.
On the other hand, they have
been advised the cost of construc-
ton of a tube under the river would
be much greater than that of
bridge. Rough estimates OF the cost
Of "a a lar large bridge are as high as
tube the cost is figured at some
100000 900 and for a four Lane tube
perhaps s16,0O0,0O0.
Because of these complications
the Commissioners suggested that
authority should be granted at an
early date to make necessary tech
nical studies in cooperation with
Virginia and Federal authorities.
Congress already has been asked
by the Commissioners to appropri-
ate out of District revenues in the
next fiscal year $4,000 to make en-
gineering studies of proposed new
bridge or tunnel for the Anacostia
River on the line of South Capitol
street, and in this connection au-
thority is asked to consult with Vir-
ginia authorities on possibilities of
bridge or tunnel for the Potomac
from the District to Alexandria. The
city heads said today they hoped
funds would be available for tech
nical studies for the Potomac cross
ing as we'll as for the Anacostia.
Virginia Officials Meet.
Questions involving additional
bridges across the Potomac River,
traffic problems created by the ma
tional defense program and Federal
housing projects. were discussed at
q conference in Alexandria last night
of representatives of the Federal
Government, District OF Columbia,
Arlington County and Alexandria
officials.
The informal conference, which
was a closed meeting, was called by
Representative Smith, Democrat, of
Virginia at the George Mason Hotel
to discuss mutual problems affecting
the Washington Northern Virginia
area.
Oppose U. s. "Barging In"
Concerning relations between the
Federal and local governments, Mr..
Smith said, after the conference, Il
think we are going to get along all
right now"
Several times during the closed
meeting, it was learned, criticism
of the Federal Government was ex-
pressed by local representatives for
the Governments practice Of "barg-
ing into" a community with some
project before local leaders know
anything about 1t.
I'VE like to be consulted on plans
for streets and sewers and things
like that" said one local official.
I'VE want to be sure they tie in
with what we have planned"
John M. Carmody, Federal works
administrator, and several members
Of his staff attended the meeting,
and Mr.. Carmody promised cooper
alton with the community In activi-
ties of his agency. A housing prof.
ect on Duke street In Alexandria
now Is under construction by the
r. w. A.