Evening star., 1949-08-31
NewBridgeP Plan
May Boost
Tdx1Centin 81
Another Spon Across
Potomac Is Being
Studied by Experts

POGOIndC anu QUIET highway pIOJ -
ects being discussed, the District
probably will try to get a 1-cent
increase in the gasoline tax rate
when authorization for the pres
ent 4-cents-a-gallon levy expires
June 80, 1852, it was learned to-
day.
Proceeds from the gas tax 60
into the highway fund. The pres
ent rate was granted on a tenn
porary basis under the 1947 reve-
nue. act. The rate is scheduled to
revert back to 3 cents at the end
of the 1852 fiscal year.
Assistant Engineer Commis-
sioner L. E. Cox said yesterday
that in view of future construc-
ton plans for District highways
officials hope to have the present
rate maintained and possibly an
other cent added.
New Bridges Planned.
Highway projects which the
District hopes to undertake in the
future include new bridge across
the Anacostia River and a twin
to the new Fourteenth street span
over the Potomac. Field work also
has been completed on numerous
other major projects growing out
of the so-called origin and desti-
nation survey.
Even after completion OF the
Fourteenth street span. still an
other span will be needed to re-
lieye the ver-increasing traffic
congestion, District and Virginia
officials agreed yesterday.
But such a bridge is still years
IN the future, and where it will
cross and how to pay for 1t are
yet to be settled.
This appeared to be the con-
sensus of some 80 traffic and
police experts from both sides of
the river, who met at the May
flower Hotel to air plans and prob
lens. The meeting was called by
the highways and bridges COM
mittee of the District Advisory
Board of the American Automo-
bile Association.
Five Suggested Locations.
. No less than five new bridge
locations were brought up for
consideration. These were:
3 An extension of Constitution
avenue, suggested by Capt. Mark
Raspberry of Park Police.
An extension of New Hamp-
shire avenue. suggested by Clifton
G. Stoneburner, Arlington County
highway engineer.
A bridge from the Alexandria
traffic circle to the Blue Plains
area, a Fort Drive Bridge and a
Cabin John Bridge. all included
in plans of the National Capital
Park and Planning Commission.
Several officials declined to make
specific recommendations until
completion of the survey on "ori-
gins and destinations, which has
been In progress for nearly two
years.
The officials pointed out the new
Whitehurst Freeway is expected to
ease the flow of traffic from Key
Bridge. when it Is opened on
October /.
Other PIaps Offered.
Several other plans to ease
traffic congestion were offered:
Altering of approaches to Me-
mortal Bridge, especially on the
Virginia side, where the circle
might we'll be eliminated. accord
ing to Irving C. Root. superintend-
ent of National Capital Parks.
New consideration of proposal
for -four lanes one way. two lanes
the other" during rush hours on
Memorial Bridge.
Resurfacing of Memorial Bridge
to eliminate the dips near the
curbs which force traffic into
central lanes.
Increasing Key Bridge to six
lanes by using present sidewalk
space. This was suggested by Mr..
Stoneburner, who said "cantilever'
sidewalks could be placed outside
the bridge abutments.
AS for the new Highway Bridge.
which is to be completed by Janu-
ary of February. Col. Cox said
plans call for it to be used ex-
clusively for Westinghouse bound
traffic and the present Highway
Bridge, exclusively for Virginia.
bound traffic.
Replacement Later.
The second new Highway Bridge
to replace the present one. origi-
nally planned on the present
bridge site. probably will be built
Immediately upstream or down.
stream, Col. Cox said, to keep two
bridges operating while construc-
ton is under way. This work will
probably not begin for another
five years, however. he pointed
out.
Washington I. Cleveland, AAA
manager here, who conducted the
meeting, said the reports of the
various officials will be considered
at an early meeting of the High
ways and Bridges Committee for
possible action.
Other speakers included Inspec-
tor Arthur E. Miller, in charge of
traffic for the Metropolitan Police
S. L. Taylor Of the Public Roads
Administration; K. G. McWane OF
the Virginia Department of High
ways; 1t. c. L. Fuller of the Vir-
ginia State Police; S. r. Harrison
deputy director of highways for
the District; D. F. Brinkley. high
way planning engineer of the Dis
trict Highway Department.. and
A. T. Lundberg, Arlington County
manager.
Citizens Federation
nj r.