Evening star., 1954-11-10
Fine Arts Unit !
ToWeiigh River
Crossing Site
May Revive Ideu
OF Tunnel as Less
Objectionable

The Federal Commission Of
Fine Arts today was to reopen
its consideration of the most de-
sirable site for a Potomac River
crossing between the District
and Arlington County.
The seven member body,
which serves in an advisory
capacity to Congress and the
administration. is expected to
study the possibility Of a tunnel
beneath the Potomac. as well as
a number Of bridge locations.
So far, the commission has
opposed running a bridge over
Theodore Roosevelt Island in
line with E street, as well as
the latest proposal of a span
near Arlington Memorial Bridge
in line with Constitution avenue.
The only site it has indorsed so
far is the one between East
Potomac Park and Reaches Run.
In recent weeks, however, a
majority Of members, stating
their views as individuals, ap-
parently have tilted toward the
view that a low-level bridge
that would cross Roosevelt Is
land at grade across the north
section of the island may be the
most desirable aswer.
Tunnel Compromise Suggested.
That tunneling would be con-
sidered as an alternative was
indicated by the fact that, from
an aesthetic standpoint, none of
the area planning groups wants
a bridge either near Memorial
Bridge or over Roosevelt Island.
The Committee of 100 for the
Federal City, another planning
group, which has Fine Arts Com
mission representation on it, re-
Gently adopted unanimously a
resolution calling for careful
study of tunnel possibilities as
the solution to please all.
The interest in an underwater
crossing arises again notwith-
standing the fact that it appar-
emily was killed as recently as
nine months ago.
At that time, Representative
Broyhill, Republican, of Virginia,
who last week was reelected to
another term in Congress, OBJ
tanned from experts completely
dampening report on the feasi-
bility of a Potomac River tube.
The idea had been discouraged
before.
The principal objections have
been, and still are, the excessive
cost and major engineering prob
lens.
$73 Million Estimate.
District as well as outside in
dependent experts conclude that
a tunnel would cost in the neigh
borhood of $73 million. This is
well over double the estimate for
building a bridge at or near
Roosevelt Island.
Mr.. Broyhill's request elected
from Ralph Smillie. the consult
ing engineer who had a hand in
planning some of New York City's
traffic tubes, the conclusion that
Washington had better stick to
bridges as the solution to it's
river crossing traffic problems.
District highway authorities con-
Cured.
Mr.. Smillie said fatty that he,
for one, wants no part in backing
the tunnel. Merging traffic lanes
In a tunnel would only invite
trouble and possible disasters,
like collisions, fires and ex-
plosions, he said.
Limited Access.
Since the terrain and street
network on both shores would
prohibit the proper channeling Of
traffic, the net result of a tunnel
in the vicinity of Roosevelt
Island would be that only Ar
lington boulevard and the traf-
f1c of such east-west Washington
thoroughfares as E street and
Constitution avenue could be ac-
commodated.
The high cost of these limited
benefits would be poor economy,
authorities agreed.
AS a final consideration, tun-
neling would take an inordi-
nately long time. One city Of
fetal pointed out that the con-
struction Of the 15-foot-diameter
Piney Branch sewer-an entirely
above-water project has re-
quired longer than two years,
and it is far from completion
even now.