Evening star., 1950-06-18
Virginia Wants
Bridge-Parkway
Approach Built
Arlington Also Urges
U. 5. to Provide Link
To Up River Lund
By Robert c. RoIIinas


By Robert c. RoIIinss
Virginia and Arlington authori-
ties want the Federal Government
to build an approach from the
Virginia end of Key Bridge to
the up-river lane of the George
Washington Memorial Parkway
1t was learned yesterday.
The newest section of the park
way (Unit IL extends from the
bridge up the Potomac to Spout
Run, where it turns and follows
the stream. connecting with the
Arlington highway system at
Lorcom Lane. Ultimately, it is
to be built as far as Great Falls
almost lS miles from Key Bridge
Paving work began last week
and the new dual-lane road is
expected to be ready for traffic
In about three months.
10000 Vehicles a Day.
AS nov planned. down-riveI
parkway traffic will be able to gel
onto Key Bridge. but vehicles
coming across the bridge from
Washington will not be able to
get on the parkway. Nor will up
river traffic from the direction
Of Memorial Bridge be able tc
get of the parkway at Key Bridge
officials of the State and
county, which together pay halt
the cost of land for the parkway
point out that under present
plans. the parkway would not
benefit Virginia bound motorists
who use Key Bridge. An esti-
mated 10000 vehicles pass over
the span daily.
A Bureau of Public Roads off,
cial estimated recently the cost
of an approach from Key Bridge
at 5000, 900 to $250,000. An Ar
lington official expressed the pri-
vate opinion that the figure is
high. although detailed estimates
have not been worked out.
County Share Approved.
The disclosure that the ap-
tproach is being urged by Virginia
and Arlington authorities was
made by County Manager A. T.
Lundberg before the Arlington
County Board.
The board passed a resolution
authorizing issuance of a $62, 500
check for the county's share of a
portion of right-of-way money
for Units III and w of the park
way. The State will put up $62.-
500 and the total will be matched
by the Federal Government.
Units III and w will carry the
parkway from Spout Run to the
Arlington Fairfax line. about u
mile above Chain Bridge. Total
cost Of the land is estimated at
100000. Arlington has made
provision for payment of it's share
in the next two fiscal years.
In other actions yesterday. the
board voted to reject all bids for
the annual street-Surfacing pro-
gram; took under advisement a
suggestion by County Court Judge
Hugh Reid that the old jail be
converted into a juvenile court
and detention hall, and agreed to
confer with Clarendon business
men regarding public -owned park
ing lots.
The decision to reject paving
bids was made when it was dis
covered the county had not put
bidders on notice that State law
required them to be registered.
Mr.. Lundberg had recon-
mended that the contract be
awarded to the Arlington Asphalt
Co.. which bid $l19,480 for the
work of surface-treating about a
third of the county's streets, be-
ginning next month. The con-
tract also included paving of new
streets being taken into the coun-
ty system.
Ben M. Hedrick. attorney for
the Newton Asphalt Co., which
had submitted a bid approx
mately $l,700' lower than the
Arlington Asphalt Co., objected.
He said the contract should be
awarded his client because the
registration law is unconstitu-
tional and that even If it were.
it does not apply to counties.
Re-advertising for bids will
hold up the work for about three
weeks, officials said. One-third Of
the county's thoroughfares are
surface-treated every three years
The board also voted an annual
clothing allowance of $135 for
county detectives. The board re-
jected a suggestion by Chairman
Daniel A. Dugan that the al
lowance be made retroactive to