Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1953-07-22
Il Street Bridge Plea
Is Sent 10 Congress
By District Heads
The District Commissioners

The District Commissioners
have asked Congress to author
ize funds for the construction
of a new 6-lane bridge across
the Potomac River in the vicin-
ity of E street NV.
Thus, the city heads again
have gone to Congress for settle
ment of a bridge dispute after
being unable to get other agen-
cies concerned to agree. The
same procedure was used by the
Commissioners to win approval
of the East Capitol Street Bridge
and the Highway Bridge.
Ask High Priority.
The commissioners submitted
their request to Chairman Simp-
son of the House District Com
mittee, in a report late yesterday.
The report asked that high
priority be given the E Street
Bridge, citing traffic congestion
on the spans now in use.
The Commissioners also recon-
mended that another bridge be
constructed at Jones Point
which would connect with Alex
andria-as soon as possible.
A third new bridge at Nebraska
avenue was listed as a project
that should be considered in the
near future.
The National Capital Planning
Commission has refused to in
dorse construction of the bridge
at E street.
The proposed bridge would
pass over Theodore Roosevelt Is
land. The Commissioners told
Mr.. Simpson this was a major
problem which Congress would
have to decide.
Strong opposition to the bridge
touching the island has come
from the Theodore Roosevelt
Island Memorial Association.
When the United States accepted
title to the island from the asso-
citation, it was agreed that Moth
ing would be done to the island
inconsistent with the purpose of
creating a memorial to the for
mer President.
The Commissioners comment
ed:
THE studies made by the
Highway Department and the
Engineer Commissioner show
that from an engineering and
traffic point of view, the most
desirable solution is a bridge in
the vicinity of E street, which
crosses Roosevelt Island, now set
aside as a memorial park area.
There seems to be a differ
ence of opinion among the emf
nent counsel who have consid-
cred this matter regarding
whether the construction of
bridge over Roosevelt Island
would be a violation of law.
Will Go to Subcommittee.
1T seems clear, however, that
any oblibation which might
prevent the construction of
bridge over the island is an OBJ
legation of the United States and
not of the District. Therefore
the Commissioners believe that
the decision regarding whether
such an obligation exists and
what effect should be given to it
is a matter for Congress and not
the Commissioners"
Mr.. Simpson said a bill will be
introduced, as requested by the
Commissioners.
He added that he would ap-
point a subcommittee to con-
slider the matter in the near
future. He said the subcommit-
tee would hold public hearings
but was unable to make a pre-
diction as to when because of
the rush of Congress to adjourn.
The Commissioners pointed out
in their report that a recent
traffic survey established be-
yond a doubt" the need for a
bridge at E street. The survey
showed that "a per cent of the
traffic entering the District dur
ing the morning rush hours was
headed for the central area of
the city.
The city heads recommended
that the new E street bridge
be six lanes. The capacity of
the bridge would be 4,500 vehicles
per hour in one direction and
should provide for the antici-
pated increase in peak holr traf-