Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-01-02
Maryland Plans
S5o.f Million
For Area Roads
l6 Major Projects
Set in Montgomery
And Prince Georges
By George Beverage

Inc Maryland Roads COM
mission intends to continue or
start new construction this year
on Is major projects that win
| give Montgomery and Prince
Georges Counties 9lla miles Of
highway improvements at q
cost Of $59.1 million.
This massive construction
contract schedule the most
concentrated in Washington
area history--will be devoted
almost entirely to divided four
lane highways.
The commissions l6 main
projects slated for the area this
year. listed for The Star by Of
ficiaIs yesterday. include:
Nine initial construction con-
tracts to be let on either brand
new roads or conversion Of old
roads to dual-highway stand
ards,
Five projects on which partial
construction contracts have
been let, and for which addi-
tional contracts win be awarded
in 1855.
Two new roads, already under
contract. which win be finished
this year.
Dates Not Set.
Oficials said firm dates for
awarding the new construction
contracts have not been set. The
basic decision has been made
to get them cut during the year.
Their timing will depend largely
on completion Of plans. But some
are expected to be advertised, as
early as this month.
The length Of construction also
will vary widely. due to COM
plexity and size, On some Of the
bigger Jobs. construction viii
take up to two yeaps.
But officials stressed that the
schedule gives the Washington
area "a q large share Of State
construction money this year
and CD an extremely early con-
struction start on most Of the
big jobs earraarked for this area
| In the States l2-year. 1868 mil
lion road program. The program
started last year.
To Spend S242 Million.
Statewide, $242 million is to
be spent during the FIRST four-
year period ending in 1867. OF
this, Montgomery and Prince
Georges are earmarked for ST.
million. Under the list given The
Star yesterday, at least $59.l
million of the ST. million would
be contracted for by the end Of
this second year Of the l2-year
program.
In addition to the l6 major
projects, officials said they also
intend to let contracts for sew
eral less-expensive secondary
road improvements in the WASH
ingtOn area.
Officials emphasized that the
program has been set up to give
early major projects TO counties
In each Of the States seven
construction districts.
But for two main reasons, big
sums Of the early bodybuilding
money is being poured into the
metropolitan areas Of Washing
ton and Baltimore.
Heaviest Congestion.
One reason is that those areas
have the greatest traffic needs.
the heaviest congestion. The
other is that they are hurgeon-
Ing with new residential deyeiop-
ment, which would greatly In
crease the cost Of land for roads
II the commission did not move
quickly.
One major road not scheduled
for roadway contracts this year
is the iong-planned intercounty
belt freeWay. which eventually
will encircle Washington from
Bethesda to the Potomac River
opposite Jones Point, Alexandria.
But officials stiil hope at least
TO begin the 33-mile route this
year.
The decision will rest on court
rulings as to whether the belt
road can traverse part Of Rock
Greek Park between Wisconsin
avenue and Forest Glen. II lower
court rulings supporting the con-
struction are upheld, ofiiciais
want to begin construction Of the
road as soon as possible between
Wisconsin avenue and Georgia
avenue.
The only contract let 50 far IL
Continued on Page A-8, Col. ID