Evening star., 1945-09-11
Highway Department
Seeks S3,955,0OO
For 1947 Budget
Bx CAMBRIDGE CRIST.

l" ~" HNNSvs
By CAMBRIDGE CRIST.
The Highway Department has
asked for 1885 900 for its l947
budget, which will be sufficient
combined with Federal aid funds. to
carry the department through the
initial phase of a number of peace
time highway improvements.
The amount sought by Capt. H. C
Whitehurst, director of highways. is
$145,0 900 less than the current 1916
appropriation of $4,100,000, accord
ing to the budget estimates released
today by the Commissioners.
The department is seeking 81 ,300,-
900 to match Federal aid money
under the Federal Highway Act OF
1914. This sum, together with an
unexpended appropriation of sl.575,-
900 for 1916, will almost enable the
District to match Federal grant OF
s2,974 ,602 for the first postwar year
The act authorizes the Federal
Government, through the Public
Roads Administration. to advance
$500, 600 900 year to States and the
District over three-year period.
No Specific Commitments.
Capt. Whitehurst said that nc
funds have been requested for "spe-
citic" new paving projects. widening
of roadways. new snow removal
equipment and other vital work be-
cause of the uncertainty over the
amount to be received from the
gasoline tax now that the war has
ended.
Although these estimates have
been made with a full knowledge
that our reconversion to peace
time activities will effect change
in the gasoline tax and motor
vehicle revenue structure, it was
/ thought wise to base these esti-
mates on present forecasts rather
than to predicate the estimates
upon higher revenue expectancy
without the benefit of sufficient
information upon which to base
such trends" it was said.
"A close study of the situation
will be made during the next sew.
eral months and it may be founc
advisable to revise these estimate.
at a later date or to request a de.
ficiency appropriation In order tt
provide for portion of the ac.
emulation of work (piled up during
the war;"
II Demands Exceed Funds.
I The budget statement said thai
the public demand, particular,
from outlying sections, for improve.
ments to meet modern traffic con.
ditions far exceeds our ability t.
meet them"
The replacement value of street.
and roads of the District was SCI
at $79, ,704 900, with the street sys.
tenn composed of $50 miles. Nor.
than so miles of paved streets have
been in service more than Is year.
and the mileage from 1880 to tht
present has increased by 339 miles
In addition, there are 1,43S mile.
of sidewalks.
Many macadam roadways." j
was said, ARE in need of surfac.
treatment. Surface treatment il
essential every few years to preserv'
the roadway and prevent rapid de
terioration and loss"
For capital outlay, Capt. White
hurst is seeking $2.425,0 900 for l947
compared with an appropriation o
81, 100000 in 1896 In addition t,
money for Federal aid projects. tn
following amounts are sought:
Paving, repaying and surfacine
100000; grading, $4,000; curbs
gutter and shoulders, $4,000; re
surfacing, 100000; changes il
drainage structures, 100000; chan
nelization of traffic, $50, 900; improv
ing unpaved streets, 100000, an,
condemnations, $4,000. Except TO
an increase of almost 100000 TO
.resurfacing, most of these item
represent a cut from the 1916 ap
preparation.
Estimates Operating Expenses.
Operating expenses of the stree
and bridge divisions were estimates
at $1,530,0 900, an increase of $4,000
from the 1916 appropriation. Thi
money, it was explained, Is for tn
operation, maintenance and repai
of bridges and streets. New person
mel requested include a bridge guar
and drawbridge operator becaus
of the establishment of the 40-hou
, work week.
Under the capital outlay section
the department has asked for 42 nev
per diem and unclaSsifled employees
which will boost personnel cost
: from an estimated $168 1928 this yea
t to $276, ,8O8 in l947.
A summary of highway appropria
= tions from 1925 to 1916, inclusive
shows that personnel costs have gon
up from $l01 $50 to $276, 900, an,
that the overall cost has risen from
1890, ,191 to $4,100,000. The larges
appropriation was $6,973, TAO in 1941
e The District already has funds TO
l the $4,500, 600 Victory Bridge acros
the Anacostia River, which the Wa
Production Board recently approved
Other important highway project
which are contemplated by the de
partment are the Dupont CircI
underpass, K street elevated high
way from Key Bridge to Twenty
seeynth street NV. and the Klingl
Road Bridge over Rock Creek