Evening star., 1950-01-29
Report on Roads
Puts D. +. Cost
AT 200 Million
20-Yeor Program
Would Double Present
Outlay, Congress Told
By Don S. Worren


The District needs a S200,000,-
900 long-range highway improve
ment program, Congress was told
yesterday.
If spread over a 20-year period.
such a program would double the
present outlays here for highway.
bridge. underpass and other capi-
tai improvements for traffic re-
lief, city officials said.
A portion of the program al
ready is under way, and much
more of it is authorized, or
planned, or at least contemplated
and under study.
The House-Senate Economic
Committee, headed by Senator
O'Mahoney, of Wyoming, reported
to Congress that a poll of State
and District authorities showed
that national program of about
SAL 900, 100000 of work is needed
to correct deficiencies.
For Maryland the untitled need
was placed at s700, 100000 and for
Virginia s4oo,ooO.ooo.
Stimulus to Business Cited.
The O'Mahoney committee re-
port. which is expected to serve
as stimulus to continuation and
expansion of the Federal-aid road
program. stresses the impact on
the Nations economy of the Fed
eral grants for development of the
country's highway system.
The report made no recommen-
dations as to how the suggested
national and local programs
should be financed, merely setting
down its findings. 1t did carry the
comment, however, that IF the
American highway systems are
brought up to the standard OF
modern requirements, it will pro-
vide a stimulus to all business and
industry for years to come"
The Washington metropolitan
area case was cited by the O'Ma-
honey committee as an; example
of the need of coordination
among State, city. county and
other Jurisdictions in attacking
highway problems.
Such a co-ordinated study OF
this regions problems is under
way on a cooperative basis and
data collected by analysts now is
being tabulated.
Joint Action Held Necessary.
The O'Mahoney report brought
out that o-ordinated control over
this metropolitan area involved
the authority of more than the
District. Maryland and Virginia.
In addition, it was noted, there
were two Maryland counties and
small communities. one Virginia
county and two cities. All have
some degree of control.
It was suggested at a recent
meeting of the American Society
of Civil Engineers that joint &C
tion by all interested parties was
necessary to solve interrelated
street and access problems. the
congressional group said. Re-
gional groups are consulting. the
.O'Mahoney Committee added,
land should be able to initiate a
pattern for economic development
of the area through more efficient
traffic. movement"
Congressional reports of District
highway needs were based on es-
Inmates of city officials. Details
did not exactly correspond with
statements of local officers but
there was general Endorsement Of
the overall long-range view.
The District now is spending
nearly $10,000,O0 a year on its
highways. but with an average Of
only about $5.000,000 on new con-
struction. One highway depart
ment official said this should be
at least $10,000.00o If the city is
to keep pace with the growth of
the District.
conservative" Estimate.
Such an estimate is really on
the conservative side," this Off
cial said, if the population of the
District grows to as much as
100000 or 100000.
The need Of the Federal air
program was indicated by this city
(See ROADS. Page A-8)