Evening star., 1952-12-13
Plans Group
Approves Three
New Bridges
Long Deadlock
On Spun Issue
Portly Resolved
By George Beyeridqe

4OuS-StduOlIlR Q6H0lOCk, was on
record today in favor of three new
bridges across the Potomac River.
During lengthy session, which
also brought action on several
other important matters, the plan
ners yesterday urged:
/. Immediate construction Of q
bridge to serve the central area
Of Washington"
2. Immediate construction, Sd
multaneously with the central
area span, of a bridge from Jones
Point at Alexandria to Prince
Georges County just below the
District line.
8. Early construction Of an up
river bridge from Nebraska ave-
nue. to Arlington County and Inn
mediate acquisition of right-of-
way approach land and connect
ing roads on either side of the
river.
ID. C. to Seek Funds.
Brig. Gen. Bernard L. Robinson,
Engineer Commissioner, also dis
closed that the District Commits
sioners plan to ask Congress for
money in the 1854 budget to plan
for q bridge, presumably to serve
the central area.
The decisions left the NCPC
without a stand on the controver-
sial proposal for bridge at E
street, between the Memorial and
Key Bridges. Nevertheless, their
plea for a central-area span was
definite reversal. Earlier, the
planners had approved an engi-
neering report which opposed E
street or any other additional
bridges leading to the central area.
on grounds that it only would in
tensify traffic problems on Wash
tngton streets near the bridge.
The meeting was Gen. Robin
sons last chance as NCPC mem
ber to win support for the E street
span. The general, along with the
District Highway Department, a.
strong supporter of the E street
proposal. will step out as Com
missioner on December 81.
Traffic Study Needed.
Spokesman said the reason for
not specifying a location for the
central area bridge was that more
study is nee5ed of rush-hour
traffic over such span and the
ability of nearby streets to handle
1t.
Numerous sites were discussed,
however. ranging from one near
the National Airport to Key
Bridge. One possibility. spokes-
men said. included double deck
ing" Key Bridge with an addi-
tional crossing.
The NCPC bridge votes. all
unanimous. followed recommended
tions of a special subcommittee
thet river crossings be built simul-
taneously at Jones Point AM at
an unsuecified area. The Jones
Point decision also reversed an
earlier NCPC proposal. The
Alexandria span cited in the COM
prehensive plan for Washington
was listed at Shepherds Landing,
closer to the heart Of the Virginia
city
The NCPC's central area" pro-
posal was similar. but not quite as
restrictive. as one recently arrived
at by the National Capital Re-
gional Planning Council in an
attempt to stall further conflicts
over the E street proposal. The
regional group proposed a cross
ing specifically between Memorial
and Key Bridges. as we'll as one at
Jones Point.
Tunnel Among Suggestions.
The National Capital Parks
Office. while opposing the E street
crossing. has suggested tunnel
under the river or span parallel
to Key Bridge
In other actions. meanwhile.
the planners:
/. Approved an expanded area.
south of the proposed Project B
redevelopment area in Southwest
Washington, as the site for pro-
posed public housing project by
the National Capital Housing
Authority. The extended area
would be bounded roughly by First
and Fourth streets and I and N
streets.
2. Designated DR.. Joseph D.
Lohman. NCPC chairman. and
John Eolen. planning director, to
appear at a public hearing at 10
am. Wednesday on the Southwest
redevelopment plan.
8. Approved preliminary plans
for two 34-foot-wide approaches
to the East Capitol Street Bridge.
One would make the Kenilwortn
freeway a completely divided,
limited access, drive from Benning
road to the District line, with
interchanges at Benning road,
Deane avenue and Eastern avenue.
The other would extend East
Capitol street from the bridge to
the District line.
Would Modify Highway Plan.
4. Proposed these three modifi-
cations in preliminary report on
the Maryland National Capital
Park and Planning Commissions
new highway plan: d) That Little
Falls. Branch parkway be made
an expressway between George
Washington Memorial Parkway
and Bradley boulevard: (2) That
the proposed northern parkway
and the proposed relocated Co
lumbia pike be extended by ex-
press routes around either side Of
Silver Spring: CD That q connec-
tion be provided between the Ken
ilworth freeway at the District
line and u. s. Route ].
IS. Endorsed an Immediately ac-
celebrated public works program
for the District which should con-
form to the city's comprehensive
plan and be financed jointly by
the Federal and local govern
ments., Such financing Is being
-. -.