Evening star., 1947-08-10
Work Gets Under Way on First
OF Twin Spans Over Potomac

OV6T TOlOH7QC
Glover leaf" approaches, such as
exist at the Arlington Memorial
Bridge and Highway Bridge, will be
built as part of the twin bridge pro-
gram. The District-side abutments
of the east bridge will occupy part
of the old rose garden site in Po-
tomac Park. Mr.. Greene said that
National Capital Parks officials have
salvaged 100 per cent of the roses
and shrubbery. however, and only
six trees will have to be taken out
on the Washington side.
Farther up the river. near where
Rock Creek flows into the Potomac
a Federal project is under construc-
ton. This is the West Central Heat
ing Plant, designed to supplement
the present Central Heating Plant,
near the Bureau of Engraving and
Printing.
The West Central Heating Plant
q project costing $4,000, 900 at Twen-
ty-ninth and K strests, NW.-is
scheduled to be completed next May.
Clyde c. Key, construction engineer
Of the Public Buildings Administra-
tion, said it will burn 300 tons of
coal daily when its six boilers are
operating.
Buildings in that area of the city
will be served by this plant.
A feature of the project is seven
foot-square tunnel under Rock Greek
for two 20-inch steam mains.
Many have asked why construc-
ton began at the top of the build
ing frame work rather than on the
ground. Mr.. Key explained that
materials were on hand to go ahead
at the top and such construction
can be started anywhere on a steel
structure. Commissioner of Public
Buildings w. E. Reynolds jokingly
was asked recently when he was
going to turn the building upside
down so it could be placed properly
on the foundation.
The power plant proper will cost
between 100000 and 100000
Mr.. Key said.
Another major District Highway
Department project is proceeding
on the K street elevated highway
for automobile traffic to nearby
Maryland and Virginia.
Project to Cost 1924, 900.
The project calls for spending So
$4,000 and completion by January
/. 1949. Excavation began July 26,
near the Key Bridge, at Thirty sixth
and M streets NV, in the bed of
the old Chesapeake g. Ohio Canal.
An interesting phase Of this de-
velopment is the temporary dam
ming of the old canal to permit con-
structiop of two piers to support
the approach roads from M street
and Key Bridge. These two concrete
piers now are being built in the
center Of the canal, just across from
the headquarters of the Capital
Transit Co. officials explained that
when the piers are completed the
canal and tow path will be restored.
Water is expected in that section of
the canal this fall.
Meanwhile, it is understood that
commercial projects along the canal,
on the water there for
operation, are having their electric
power bills paid for by the con-
tractor for the K street overpass.
The sightseeing barge, operated
under auspices of the National Capt.
tai Parks, will be able to pass the
two concrete piers in the canal, Of
ficials said.
Excavation Is Begun.
The firm of Alexander & Repass
of Des Moines, Iowa, has the con-
tract for the K street elevated high
way.
Excavation was under way last
week on K street. near Key Bridge,
for the main piers of the new high
way. These will carry the steel col
umns, set on concrete blocks, to
support the main elevated structure.
Carl A. Wilson, resident engineer
for the bridge division of the Dis
trict Highway Department. ex-
planned the project will run from
Thirty sixth to Twenty-seventh
streets on K. The existing overpass
across Rock Creek will be extended
as it was built with that in mind,
Mr.. Wilson said. At the Rock Greek
and Potomac Parkway end OF the
project, the concrete will be faced
with stone to match the present
structure. Mr.. Wilson said the ele-
waited highway will have ornamen-
tai lights on the main part, but in
direct lighting will be used on the
Key Bridge approach and Rock
Creek crossings.
The Des Moines firm has another
major District contract in the con-
struction Of the Baltimore e. Ohio
Railroad underpass at Riggs road
NE. This 100000 job is expected
to be completed about OCTOBER 10.
Railroad Tracks Moved.
Two abutments and a center pier
are being erected there. John s.
Watkins, resident engineer for the
District Government, explained the
railroad tracks had to be moved
north onto a temporary wooden
trestle as detour for the trains
+h.re The tracks are eXDected to
(see BRIDGES. Page A-26o