Evening star., 1956-12-12
10 LEI
Road Bids in
|NearbyCounfies
Al Miles Will Cost
so Million; Stute
Revises Estimates
By GEORGE BEVERIDGE


ling the next year for Al miles Of
roads in Montgomery and Prince
Georges Counties at a cost of
about $29 million.
These plans representing 13
roads projects, will be in addi-
ton to possible construction on
major roads in the Federal inter-
state highway system such as
U. S. Route 240.
Under the new Federal high
way act, the Federal Govern
ment can pay up to 80 per cent
lof the cost of the interstate
roads. All parts of the system
in the Washington area have not
yet been formally approved by
the Federal Government, how
ever. so Maryland officials are
holding up specific estimates OF
construction prospects.
Revised Picture
At the same time, the roads
commission is drawing a revised
picture of its 12-year road pro-
gram to give to the State Legis-
Ilature in January. The end OF
1857 will complete the first four
years of the program.
Two conflicting factors, how
ever, also are forcing a revision
On the one hand, spiraling costs
OF construction and land acqui-
sition have thrown earlier esti-
mates out of kilter. On the 9TH
er, the new Federal program has
opened large, new sources of in
come.
Construction estimates for the
l2-year program, for example
have leaped from the original
1862 figure of 1858 million to
1888 million. This change re-
fleets some new projects in the
program, much higher costs and
expensive changes in construc-
tion to make new roads comply
with rigid Federal standards.
Cost Rise Revealed
Robert o. Bonnell, roads
commission chairman, said since
the program started, conStruc-
ton costs are up "a per cent, en-
glneering 20 per cent and right
of-way land acquision 81 per
cent.
AS Of November 80 the com.
mission has built 55.6 per cent
of the road mileage called for ir
the first four-year phase of the
program, but has spent TIA pei
cent Of the money expected IL
the first four years.
Mr.. Bonnell told The Star HI
feels the new Federal aid pro.
visions will take up the slack
in the States program, however
and permit it to move ahead OF
nrm schedule.
Area Progress
Here, meanwhile, is what hai
happened in the Washington
area:
In Montgomery County, thu
first four-year phase called To-
1911 miles of roads at a cost o.
$26.6 million. AS of Novembel
80, construction of SO per cent O.
this mileage was under contrac
at a cost Of 9l.2 per cent of tht
money expected.
In Prince Georges County, TIN
first four-year phase called TO
94.7 miles Of roads at a cost o
1882 million. AS of Novembe
80 contracts were let for Al!
Iper cent of the mileage at a cos
of 64.5 per cent of the none,
Expected.
i Because Of the extensive re
vision possibilities opened by tn,
new highway act. commission
officials are reluctant to com
init themselves far in advance Of
future projects. Their presen
thinking. however, is that tn
following projects will be pu
under construction contract
during the coming year:
Montgomery Proposals
In Montgomery County:
| U. s. Route 20, about 81 mile
from the Cedarcroft Sanitariun
ito Burnt Mills.
Route 1913 (Old BladensburI
road and Connecticut avenue)
one section calls for dual Ian
highways between Chevy Chas
lake and Kensington on Con
Inecticut avenue. The other vii
Iextend from the Prince George
County line to about one-hal
mile west Of -Four Corners IL
Silver Spring. This will includ
dual lanes at Four Corners.
would leave the stretch betweeI
IKensington and the point ives
OF -Four Corners for later i'm
lprovement.
Route 1893, improvement Of tn
county portion Of the road from
lBurtonsville to Laurel.
River Road, Improvement o
ia miles from the District lin
Ito Pyle avenue.
Extension OF Sixteenth stree
NV. TO connect with Georgii
avenue.
Prince Georges Projects
In Prince Georges County:
Washington Annapolis free
way. construction from Paine
highway toward the proposed bi
Interchange at Kenilworth. Thi
construction is likely TO be nm
ished in 1858.
Route 4. s miles from the en-
of Pennsylvania avenue Sc. 10
point northeast Of Meadows. Nc
Route 1893, the county portioI
lof the Laurel-Burtonsville road
Route 30l. improvement fror
the Marlboro bypass 70 the inter
section at T. B.
Route 2l4, extension Of Eas
Capitol street 70 connect wit
Central avenue.
Route 206. 18th avenue fron
Rhode Island avenue 70 cottag
City.
Route 30l. dualization Of BY
pass around Marlboro.