Evening star., 1942-07-03
Subwoys
Continued From First Page)

tCOntnueH from flISt rage
the conclusions and recommended
tons. y"
Capt Whitehurst pointed out that
provision was made for conSid-
cradle number of such improve
ments in the highway program
adopted in principle by the Com
missioners last year.
Ito plan improvements for the
transportation system, particularly
in the central area. with recon-
mendations as to the location, ex-
tent and type of such improve
ments, will require adequate engi-
neering investigation. surveys and
cost estimates Capt. Whitehurst
said
The reports conclusions were
reached, it was explained, not alone
from the recent study of the trans
portation problem here, but also
from previous surveys and long
observation of the situation.
No Engineering Study Made.
The report says:
MANY general suggestions have
been made in recent years that
Washington should have a subway
system. In so far as we are aware.
no engineering investigation, surveys
or estimates have ever been made for
any type Of subway or extensive
underground trolley system.
plans for the permanent develop
ment of transportation system for
both rail and free wheel traffic
should be based almost entirely upon
normal and basic conditions and not
upon emergency conditions such as
exist today, although many of the
changes and corrective measures
that are necessary and desirable to
meet the present situation are
applicable to the permanent trans
portation problem in the District"
The following conclusions were
reached:
q. That system of subways of
the rapid transit type from down.
town Washington to any of the out
lying areas is not warranted under
present or prospective conditions by
the density of population that the
lines would serve
Further, from an economic stand
point, the cost of the development
and construction of a rapid transit
subway system to any of the out
! lying areas would be prohibitive and
out of proportion to the benefits tc
be expected.
Need for Underpasses.
-. That system of streetcal
tunnels and underpasses and in
cluding terminal facilities is not only
warranted but feasible to relieve the
congestion in normal times and pro.
vide adequately for the future. Ar
examination of charts and map.
showing bus and streetcar flow tt
the highly congested areas vii
visualize existing congested condi
tions on streets carrying mass trans.
portation.
Roadway space within the highl,
congeSted area is not, in many ways
adequate to provide for the severa
types of traffic desiring to use tn
available facilities. 1t follows tha
where it is impractical to rerout
traffic and additional roadway widtl
cannot be provided the use of sub
service space for tunnels. under
passes and the like is appropriate.
Such procedure is not only war
ranted as a means of relieving traffi
congestion, but as a means to insur
facilities for the more expedition
movement and safety of traffic of al
types.
"(3) That it is essential that tn
recommendations of the plannin
survey for the improvement of tn
highway system be carried out i
the interests of mass transportatio
as well as in the interests of othe
forms of transportation.
80 That a system of doWntoW
terminals at convenient locations
essential to the proper functionin
Of an adequate transportation sys
tenn and should include provision
for rail, bus and private car vehicle
: "'5) That at an appropriate tim
offstreet terminal facilities for inter
: urban buses may prove necessary g
S further aid in relieving traffic cor
gestion."