Evening star., 1952-02-06
Senate Unit Approval
Seen for Study 10
Decide Bridge.Sife

Authorization for an engineer.
ing and economic study to solve
the controversy over location o1
the next Potomac River bridge ir
this area is expected to be ap.
proved soon by a Senate subcom-
|mittee.
HouSe-passed legislation for the
purpose was indorsed by spokes-
men from both the District and
Virginia at hearings yesterday
before the Senate District Fiscal
ubcommittee.
The measure was strongly sup
ported by Representative Smith
Democrat, of Virginia, author OF
the bill. and Brig. Gen. Bernard
i. Robinson. District Engineer
Commissioner.
Senator Hunt, Democrat, OF
Wyoming subcommittee chairman
said he favors the legislation and
will bring it before his unit men,
bers for approval shortly. There
was no testimony against the
measure. It probably will go to the
full District Committee for action
ID. C. Funds Available.
Gen. Robinson said that only
such a scientific study could de-
termine the location of the cross
ing, its priority and the ALLEGATION
of its costs to the satisfaction of
all Jurisdictions concerned. He
said the District already has avail
able funds to be used as the city'S
share in the cost of the survey
itself. No appropriation would be
authorized by the pending bill, he
explained.
Representative Smith said he
favors a bridge from Alexandria
to Shepherds Landing in the Dis
trict, for which he has introduced
legislation, During hearings on
that measure he told the suhcomr
mittee, Gen. Robinson and others
had asked for further study. So
the legislator said he agreed TO
defer consideration on the Alex
andria bridge project and nitro
duced other legislation for the
joint survey, which has passed the
House. .-..
The virginian said he was SUR
prised to learn that the Regional
Highway Planning Committee, in
it's long-range program for this
area, recently proposed a Potomac
River Bridge over Theodore
Roosevelt Islano. He favored in
stead the bridge at Alexandria, to
help heavy north-and-south traf-
fic to bypass the congested Wash
ington section. Also this crossing
would be built strong enough to
carry a railroad, he explained.
No Specific Approval.
Gen. Robinson pointed out that
the Roosevelt Island bridge at E
street was recommended as a re-
suit of an origin and destination
survey. But, he emphasized. he
has not indorsed this location for
priority, nor has he approved any
single project in the big program.
He did approve the program as a
whole to relieve traffic congestion
in the city. he said.
IT never opposed the Alexandria
bridge location" he countered,
"but have raised the question as
to whether it should be given
priority" He urged approval Of
the pending bill for the study by
experts to be selected by the Dis
trict Commissioners.
The measure would call for a
report on priority Of the next
bridge, its approximate cost and
what would constitute fair and
reasonable basis for distributing
such costs as between the District
of Columbia, Virginia and the
Federal Government"
The Commissioners would be
authorized to work out arrange
ments for the survey with the
Bureau of Public Roads, the Vir-
ginia Department of Highways.
the National Park Service, the
National Capital Park and Plan
ming Commission and any suodi-
vision of Virginia where the
bridge would be located.
Inspection Funds Asked.
During consideration of other
legislation, the Hunt subcommit-
tee heard testimony from DR.. w.
T. Birthright, president of the
Board of Dental Examiners, that
more funds are needed for periodic
inspection of dentists offices, rwo
of which have been reported in
unhealthy and insanitary con-
l{&i.,vaO -