Evening star., 1952-02-13
Highways Of the Future
Choice Of Bridge Site Runs AfouI
Roosevelt Island Restrictions

d Restrictions
previously have been suggested
farther upriYer and farther down
notably at Shepherds Landing
land Nebraska avenue. But these,
lthe road officials argue, won't end
midtown tieups.
i So they want to Sllunt traffic
west from Fourteenth and east
from Key, then over the new
bridge near Georgetown.
One-way streets would link with
downtown. Rock Greek parkway,
New Hampshire avenue and the
downtown-girdling inner loop
lalSo would connect. On the Ar
llington end. the span would Tie
Into George Washington parkway,
Lee highway, Wilson and Lee
bo1levards.
Roosevelt island is a stumbling
block because Congress gave d
Icitizens' group and several other
organizations q say In its use.
The 90-acre island is controlled
by the park system. But 1t was
given to the Government 90 years
lago by the Theodore Roosevelt
Memorial Association, which had
bought it for the purpose. The
lprice was 1864, 600; the seller was
THE gas company. The sale saved
the tract from gas storage tanks.
Association Has Veto Power.
Congress. accepting the gift,
said no plan for development could
he adopted without the associa-
|tion's approval. And, 1t added, no
development inconsistent" with
the plan could be undertaken
With out association approval,
either.
And the plan was for a park
without automobiles. Approved by
various agencies in 1888, it leaves
cars at a parking lot ashore. at the
columbia Island end Of Memorial
Bridge. From there 1t has park
visitors use q ferryboat.
Until now. the plan has been
mostly q dead letter. Harry T.
Thompson, associate parks super
|intendent. says this is because OF
lack of money. But CCC boys
cleared out useless growth in the
sos. and more than 10000 new
trees and bushes were planted. 8.
The boating public Is admitted.
and park workmen keep the island
cleaned up.
In the face Of the new threat,
the old plan is being busted of.
Park officials would like to see
ferry landings and recreation IA
|cilities built.
The memorial association also is
planning protest to the District
Commissioners.
Commission Must Approve.
The group may get support from
the National Capital Park and
Planning Commission. The COM
mission has favored the other sites
mentioned Nebraska avenue and
Shepherds Landing. It also turned
down an earlier move for q span
in the E street vicinity, Planning
Director John Nolen. jr., pointed
out. And the commission must ap-
prove any Roosevelt Island plans.
The commission will reconsider
the idea. however. Mr.. Nolan said.
"A commission meeting on the en-
tire highway program is slated
February 81.
Congress win have q direct say
when it comes to providing
money. In addition, the House
has authorized q study Of the
whole problem Of new bridge To-
cation, and the Senate is expected
to confirm the action. The Dis
|trict has funds available for the
study and will cooperate in it.
But city engineers for the pres
lent contend no point in the down.
town area except Roosevelt Island
affords suitable approaches.
Here are the details OF their
plan:
The bridge would cross the
island but not connect with it.
Direct Link to Downtown.
I The principal approaches on
the District end would be New
Hampshire avenue, Rock Greek
parkway and an extension Of Z
street. e would remain one-Way
least below the White House and
lone-way west from West Execu-
tive avenue to Twenty-first street
land would be q direct link te
downtown Pennsylvania avenue
Another one-Way network
iwestbound and H eaStbound-
would connect New Hampshire
land Pennsylvania avenues below
Washington Circle.
The span is probably several
years in the future. even il APP
proved. The cost, including con-
meeting ramps, widening Of street
links and channelization at Z
lstreet and Pennsylyania avenue, i.
estimated at something over SIT:
million.
Tomorrow: Plans 10 speed
motorists through the M0nu-
ment Grounds. sss
King Brings Dancers
Il SAIGON Indo-C China H Ihl