Evening star., 1953-10-30
Accord Likely
On Mary|and's
Belt Freeway
Rt. 240. Controversy
Also Expected to Be
Considered Today
By GEORGE Beveridoe

A strong possibility existed
today of agreement between the
Maryland Roads Commission
and the National Capital Plan
ming Commission on the precise
location Of nearby Maryland's
inter-county belt freeway.
The way for an amicable de-
cision at joint meeting this
afternoon was paved by a plan
prepared by staffs of the two
groups. The plan covers the
belt road location in a part Of
Rock Creek Park between Wis
conSin avenue and Forest Glen.
State road officials indicated
a hope that a settlement on the
belt route also would gain SUPP
port for their plans to construct
the controversial southeast leg
OF Route 240 through park sec
tionS to end at the East-West
highway. The two roads are so
closely tied together that both
are sure to be taken up today.
Other Mayor Issues Up.
Two other major issues, mean
while, also were on the planning
commissions agenda for today.
One is the question of a new
Potomac River bridge in the
downtown Washington area. The
commission was expected to con-
slider an alternate bridge site
to the E street span pushed by
the District Commissioners.
Later today, the planners were
to meet the National Capital
Regional Planning Council in the
hope of settling differences over
selection of a council planning
director.
The heaviest interest, however,
centered around the roads COM
mission visit.
Maryland Roads Commissioner
Russell H. Mccain outlined the
joint staff proposal for the belt
route in letter yesterday to the
planning commission. 1t was re-
leased by the latter group.
The proposal resulted directly
from plans suggested by the PLAN
ming commission staff. It's Sug-
gestion dealt only with the inter-
county belt route. the only road
way the planners have been will
ing so far to approve in the park
stretch between Wisconsin avenue
and Forest Glen.
Both Projects Concerned.
Mr.. McCain's letter, however,
clearly dealt with use of the park
section in terms of both the belt
route and the Route 24O leg.
The roads commission wants to
have the 240 leg drop out of the
park a short distance east OF
Wisconsin avenue, and drop
southwark across North Chevy
Chase to the East-West high
way.
Here are highlights of the pro-
posed belt route as outlined by
Mr.. Mccain:
1t would hug the extreme souLn
edge of the park between Wis
conSln avenue and Forest Glen,
except for a 3.500-foot stretch
outside the park and on privately
owned property. A 198-foot right
of-way would be acquired.
Mr.. Mccain said staff members
are agreed that for the time
being, two 24-foot lanes could
serve the dual purpose of carry
ing both belt freeway and Route
24O traffic over the park portion
where the two roads would con-
verge. Later. when the belt
route is finished and the 24O
leg extended through District
portions of Rock Creek Park
to downtown Washington, the
area could be developed for two
dual highways, he said.
The letter indicated Mr.. Nc
Cain is willing to make two i'm
portant concessions to the PLAN
ners. One involves the limita-
tion of 198-foot right-of-way.
The other is routing the belt
road outside the park and over
private property.
Involves Extra $500, 900.
Mr.. Mccain said the latter
move would add more than $780,
600 to belt road land acquisition
estimates. but added:
If we can reach accord on all
OF our problems in the develop
ment of these highways in the
park area, it is felt this addi-
tional expenditure may be justi-
fed"
Commenting on the 198-foot
width for the ultimate cross
section for both dual highways"
he said:
This section provides for much
narrower dividing strips than we
normally use in our design and
certainly much more restricted
than is desirable for safety and
comfort. However, any addi-
tional width of medium strips
would entail a commensurate
widening of the overall section"
Mr.. McCain's letter indicated
a hope. at least, that approval Of
the park use as proposed by the
staffS would clear the way for
ultimate development of the 240
leg near Wisconsin avenue.
"As mentioned above" he
wrote, staff members of each
commission have worked out a
plan whereby it is deemed that
all Of the objectives of the sew
eral commissions can be attained,
with the possible exception of use
of parklands for a l,200-foot
of the southeast leg
of Washington National Pike
(Route 240) from Beach drive to
the East-West highway"