Evening star., 1944-10-15
Twin Bridges
Cost Estimated
At AtS7,OO0,0OO
Enabling Legislation
Sent to Congress
By Commissioners
BY DON s. WARREN.


BY DON s. WARREN.
The total cost Of the proposed
construction Of twin bridges over
the Potomac to replace the 41-year-
old Highway Bridge would not ex-
ceed $1,000, 900, under terms Of re-
quested enabling legislation the
Commissioners yesterday sent to
Congress along with arguments as
TO why the new crossing should be
OF an eight-lane double-span plan.
This limit Of cost, it was explained
IN letters from Commissioner Young
to Speaker Rayburn and Chairman
Bilbo OF the Senate District Com
mittee, would include all expanses
for approaches, connecting roads
and landscaping, as well as the new
bridges.
While Senator Bilbo and Chair
man Randolph Of the House Dis
trict Committee both were out of
the city, an assurance was given
that the bill, which was involved in
the battle of the bridges" among a
number OF governmental agencies
would be given prompt considera-
lion. Edward P. Terry, clerk of the
Senate District Committee, said he
was satisfied Senator Bilbo would
Introduce the bill as soon as Con-.
gress reconvenes November IA and
would name q subcommittee to con-
duct hearings as soon as the meas
ure was referred to his committee.
similar action Is expected to be
taken on the House side.
The two-bridge plan sponsored
ny the Board of Commissioners has
the support of the Fine Arts Com
mission, the Public Roads Admin
lstration and the Board of Trade.
Advocates of a six-lane single span
are Interior Secretary Ickes, the
National Capital Parks Service.
which he supervises, and the Ma
tional Capital Park and Planning
Commission.
In support of the plan to pro-
vide one new bridge for southbound
trafnc and a second for northbound
TRANCE, each span to have four
trafnc lanes, Commissioner Young
wrote:
The proposed bridges are de-
signed so as to provide not only
Tor anticipated postwar flow but
to adequate serve trafic demands
for 4 reasonable period thereafter.
The new bridges will more ade-
quately care for the turning move
ment OF traffic. particularly move
ments to and from the Mt. Vernon
Boulevard"
He stressed also that the present
bridge Is located on U. S. High
way No. /, most heavily travelled
north-south route in and out of
washington. Trafnc counts made Just
prior to the war, he said, indicated
an average daily used in the sum-
mer season Of about 1900 vehicles
per day, with about 10 per cent of
these being trucks.
The narrow lanes, particularly
with the heavy truck traffic pres
ent,' he added, have been indirect
cause OF many accidents, due pri-
marily to side-swiping. On numer-
Gus occasions. heavy trucks have
run into the supporting members of
the overhead trusses.
The existing bridge, a four-lane
structure, was erected in 1908. While
the bridge is physically safe, it is
not capable Of carrying the present
traf11c volume without undue con-
gestion and delay, which reflects
ltseif upon a substantial part of the
District trafic system.
THE bridge is not in the best
physical condition. Two-thirds of
the flooring system is of laminated
wood construction. which is in the
process Of decay"
Most Of Commissioner Young,s
letter was devoted to an explana-
ton OF the terms of the proposed
bill. 1t specifically directs the Com
mlssioners to construct two four.
lane bridges. The southbound xnan
would be built as near as practicable
TO the location Of the present High
way Bridge, and the northbound
bridge would be within 800 feet
downstream.
At the request Of the Commits
sloners. Federal agencies holding
control over lands adjacent to the
ends OF the bridges, which would be
necessary for the project, would be
directed to transfer such areas to
the Commissioners, in keeping with
plans approved by the city heads
and the Public Roads Administra-
ton. The United States would be
directed to acquire additional lands
If needed.
The Commissioners also would be
authorized to route or reroute traf-
nc or to close roads under Federal
jurisdiction, and to negotiate with
virginia authorities for closing of
roads, when necessary in connection
with the bridge project. Also the
commissioners are directed to plan
changes In park roads when nee
essary In the interest of maximum
emciency in handling traffic to and
from the bridge" and, on approval
OF the Public Roads Administration.
to construct such roads.
Children Under 5
Il Il