Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-08-19
Avenue Bridge
is Overdue,
Lane Declares

ton avenue bridge is long over
due from the standpoint of to-
days traffic demands, although
the District started planning it
lin 1851, Engineer Commissioner
Thomas A. Lane said last night.
Were much too late" Gen.
Lane told a radio audience over
Station WWDC. Traffic de-
mands require the bridge today,
and we haven't started" He
noted such a bridge takes three
years to build.
Congress adjourned last month
without completing action on
authorization details both with
respect to that crossing and the
replacement of the old trestle-
topped Fourteenth street bridge.
This was the latest snag in a
long series of delays for both
bridges.
Legal Opinion Asked
Gen. Lane said washington
would be in pretty good shape
now" if the two crossings were
built. The Commissioners have
asked an opinion Of the Con-
troller General as the whether
they legally could go head with
the bridges on the basis of pre-
vious legislation.
With additional plannin 6
needed, it would be six months
before construction could start
on the Constitution avenue span
in any case.
Gen. Lane said the city heads
recognize the delays and incon-
veniences to which commuters
are subjected daily" He said
that since 1851. "the Commits
sioners have been diligently
seeking to initiate the construc-
ltion of this bridge, but have been
repeatedly delayed by events
and actions which are beyond
their control"
The most recent delay in the
long haul of clearing a District
bridge with all the planning
agencies involved and with Con-
Igress arose over an amendment
to authorize a new location TAX
ing the bridge over Roosevelt
Island.
Dispute on Draw Span
General agreement has been
reached on the site by Federal
and District planners as well as
the House and Senate. But in
conference, the House insisted
a $1.9 million draw span be re-
quired in the bridge. The Senate
refused to go along, and no ac-
ton was taken on the conference
report.
The 1854 legislation for the
bridge put its location between
Arlington Memorial Bridge and
the southern tip of the island.
1T did not say whether there
should be a draw span or not.
The city has 49, million to start
construction.
| For the four-lane replacement
of the old Fourteenth Street
Bridge, the District has $3.5 mil
lion. Congress in 1916 author
lied 81 million for the replace
ment, and for a second bridge
which now carries Washington
bound traffic. The city built the
second bridge in 1850 but used
up almost all the 81 million.
No Action on Increase
This year. District officials
asked Congress to appropriate
money to replace the old bridge
and raise the old 1916 two-bridge
authorization from 81 to SIG mil
lion. Congress granted the con-
struction money but took no ac-
ton on the increase in authori-
cation.
On another subject, Gen. Lane
Endorsed the program of increas-
ing speed limits where traffic
conditions warrant. The city
heads boosted limits on five
streets last week.
Gen. Lane said there are many
streets where traffic can move
with entire safety at higher
speeds than authorized, in view
of road improvements and other
factors. He said this situation
would be improved by holding
limits at safe levels. but still
putting them high enough. He
added, however, that the pro-
gram would be tailor made" for
every street.