Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-03-04
Broyhi|I 10 Attempt
10 Prod Virginia on
Funds for Bridges
Continued From First Page.)

Continued From First Page.)
and District part would cost
about $2.1 million.
No Objection.
Both Maryland and District
officials told The Star they will
be willing to pay for approaches
on their side of the Jones Point
bridge, if the Federal Govern
ment builds the bridge itself.
The fireworks were touched off
yesterday, when w. Frank
Smith, Virginia Highway De-
partment urban engineer. read
Mr.. Anderson's statement that
there was mo possibility" Vir-
ginia could pay for any of the
Jones Point approaches.
Mr.. Broyhill made it evident
he had not understood that the
estimated $40 million Federal
cost covered the entire Virginia
connection to Shirley highway.
He said he did not believe the
State should finance the entire
$7-million approach. A portion
of the approach road. for exam
pie, would pass through Alex
andria and presumably would be
a city responsibility.
But he emphasized that the
State should pay for the ap-
proach roads bypass connection
with Shirley highway.
while I'm proud to be a
Virginian. I'm not proud of the
position of the Virginia Depart
ment of Highways this morn
ing" he commented at one
point.
Mr.. Smith, in answer to ques-
tons, said Virginia spends about
$40 million a year (including
about $40 million in Federal add
on new highways all over the
State, but can afford to allo-
cate only about 81 million a
year to the area within about
a 15-mile radius of Washington.
Approaches Not Included.
He said this 81 million is be-
ing applied against a program
of $35 million worth of ''imme-
date needs" in the Washington
area-in which none OF the
bridge approaches are included.
Mr.. Broyhill noted that "one-
fortieth of the construction
money Tin Northern Virginia,
certainly is disproportionate" to
its population and, tax producing
ability He estimated that the
Washington area of the State
has more than 10 per cent of
the Virginia population and pro-
duces about one sixth of its
taxes.
Mr.. Smith emphasized. how
ever. that the highway alloca-
tons to various areas are based
on a rigid formula-established
by the State LegiSlature-of
area, population and mileage.
The construction money is al
located to eight major State
districts.
Another Virginia source. who
asked he not be identified. told
The Star the ALLEGATION formula
ties the Highway Departments
hands so far as diverting more
than about 81 million to this
area is concerned. He said this
areas district. which gets only
about SO million a year. extends
as far as Loudoun and Abe
marie Counties.
Mr.. Smith told the subcom-
mittee he would have to find out
whether the available 81 mil
lion might be diverted for sew
eral years to bridge approaches.
Other Need Great.
Il wish I could tell you that
we could do that" he said, but
the other needs in this area are
so great / don't know"
Among the major needs. he
said, is series of expensive
improvements on Arlington bou-
levard. required to make it able
to serve as the major approach
road to the E street bridge.
Mr.. Broyhill. while attacking
the States position on the APP
proaches. emphasized that all
such road improvements serve
the bridges. He said he is COM
piling a list of these big projects
under way or planned.
Earlier District Engineer
Commissioner Louis w. Prentiss
strongly Endorsed the Jones
Point Bridge. but recommended
that its cost authorization be
increased by S4.5 million in order
to expand its size from four to
six lanes.
Other District, Maryland and
Virginia planning and road
building officials also joined
forces to urge its construction.
The Alexandria bridge stands
alone among proposals raised
during the last few years in
being noncontroversial as to
need.
Subcommittee hairman
Kearns asked Gen. PrentiSs how
he could justify Federal financ-
ing for such span.
Some Help Seen.
Gen. Prentiss replied that the
bridge would be of some help to
the District in that it would re-