Evening star., 1954-09-18
D. {. Engineers Begin
2-Week Traffic Study
To Solve Span Design

District highway engineers
settled down this week end to
begin an intensive two-week
study of traffic data affecting
design Of the city's new $24 mil
lion Potomac River bridge.
The study is expected to de-
termine whether city officials
will support a direct connection
between the bridge and Consti-
tuition avenue NV. It will cross
the river about 1900 feet up
stream from Arlington Memorial
Bridge.
Except for the proposed Con-
stitution avenue connection, a
design for the bridge was ap-
proved in principle yesterday by
the National Capital Planning
Commission. with representa-
tlves of the District Highway
Department. National Capital
Parks and other Federal agencies
participating.
The trouble is, however. that
any changes in the Constitution
avenue connection probably
would also lead to substantial
other revisionS.
OvercrOwding Feared.
Basically District officials fear
Constitution avenue. already
packed with traffic. could not
handle peak-hour traffic that
would pour off the new bridge.
Before taking a firm stand,
however. they want to finish
studies of traffic volumes ex-
pected to use the bridge, and
routes of travel motorists will
take to and from the span. The
studies are expected to be fin
ished about October /.
In recognition of the Consti-
tuition avenue issue the plan
ming commission voted to post
pone a final vote on a design
plan recommended by techni-
clans of the planning commits
sion and the National Capital
Parks.
The plan evolved from con-
ferences between the two tech
nicians and Douglas S. Brinkley,
District Highway Department
planning chief. Mr.. Brinkley
would not add his name to the
plan, and took the position that
it should not be recommended
or made public until the traffic
studies are finished.
Two Connections Shown.
AS it was presented, the plan
shows only two connections for
Washington Inbound traffic from
the bridge. One is Constitution
avenue. The other is with a new
north-south freeway, in a line
with Twenty fifth street NV,
that will skirt the central busl-
ness area.
A report accompanying the
plan proposed that as a long
range project Constitution ave.
nue. could be doubled in width
especially if traffic volumes
demanded it. If volumes built up
before that project could be car
ried out. the report said, the
bridge design would permit a
simple barricading of inbound
bridge lanes leading to the ave-
nue. during rush hours.
Planning officials noted that
the only time the issue would
arise would be during the morn
ing rush hour. During the rest
of the day, they argued, the
links could remain completely
open.
One District official contended
the only real need for the span,
however. was to ease ruSh-hour
congestion. He said he questioned
the expense Of $24 million for
a bridge that might not fulfill
its basic purpose.
Aside from the District study,
traffic figures are expected to be
studied by the Federal Bureau
of Public Roads. In addition,
the Fine Arts Commission is
studying the design features.
mainly to consider their impact
on esthetic features Of the mon
umental Lincoln Memorial area.
Ebert Peets, architect. and
DR.. Joseph Hudnut. represent
ing the Fine Arts group. and
Merel Sager. National Capital
Parks planner, conferred on the
plans yesterday with Mr.. Brink
ley and District Highway Direc-
tor J. N. Robertson.