Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-01-16
u. ). Roads Unit
'0kays Route
For Expressway
D. c. End of Ri. 240
Is Made Eligible
| For Federal Aide
BY GEORGE BEvERIDGE

ny OEONUE bEtEhADIE
The Federal Bureau Of Public
Roads has approved the route
|of a controversial new express
way along the Potomac River
from downtown Washington to
the District Maryland line.
The expressway is designed to
link the Districts proposed inner
loop freeway system near WASH
ington Circle in Foggy Bottom to
new U. S. Route 240 near Cabin
John in Maryland.
John Volpe. Bureau of Public
Roads administrator, said the
District portion of the route,
Endorsed earlier this month by
the District Commissioners, was
approved by his agency yester-
day for inclusion on the Federal
interstate system of highways.
Approval makes such routes
eligible to have up to 80 per cent
OF their costs paid by Federal
highway aid grants.
The approval was granted
after a meeting yesterday among
BPR. District and Maryland
officials to discuss Washington
area problems involving the
Federal interstate system.
Undecided in Maryland
Mr.. Volpe emphasized, how
ever, that the Maryland por-
ton of the new expressway
route. between the District Line
and Route $40, was left open
pending studies by the Mary
land Roads Commission.
Residents of Maryland COM
munities near the Potomac have
organized in protest to encroach-
ment from the new road. Officials
emphasized tn at engineering
studies may require three
months. however, before a precise
route proposal can be tied down.
Maryland officials would like
to build Route 240 all the way
to Cabin John, and use the pro-
posed George Washington Me-
mortal parkway as the express
way link from that point to the
District Line. Federal park Of
flcials plan to begin building
the parkway along the Potomac
this spring. but its designation
as an interstate route would
Cd permit the use of trucks and
20 require rigid standards OF
high-speed road construction
Both these factors are opposed
by park officials. so the State IL
expected to design, a new route
Other Points Discussed
On other interstate issue.
discussed at yesterdays meet.
ing, Mr.. Volpe said, the BPR:
l. Left UP in the air the ques-
ton OF whether the Baltimore.
Washington parkway should be
designated as the interstate
connection between those two
cities, or whether-as Maryland
roads officials want-a new in.
tercity route should be built al
80 per cent Federal expense.
2. Approved as an interstate
road the southeast leg Of Route
240, between Tuckerman lane
in west Bethesda and Wisconsin
avenue at Rock Creek Park.
8. Approved designation of the
Districts proposed Anacostia
lfreeway and portion of New
York avenue between Florida
avenue and Bladensburg road
NE. as interstate routes.
4. Left open the question OF
whether a portion of Maryland's
proposed Washington circum.
Iferential" freeway in Rock Greek
Park extended between Wiscon-
sin avenue and Seminary roac
can qualify as an interstate
route for 80 per cent Fedora,
construction aid money. Tht
problem in this issue is thai
Maryland has agreed that truck.
be banned on the freeway por.
ton which traverses the park
and such bans are against Fed.
eral policy on interstate roads.
Solves Knotty Problem
Approval of the so-callec
southeast leg of Route 240 a.
an interstate route solves one
of the knottiest problems thai
faced area motorists.
At present. Route 240 has beer
built from Frederick to Rock.
vile and is under contract south
OF Rockville to Tuckerman lane
Beyond that point. however. Il
is not slated for construction
southwark to the Potomac River
at Cabin John for several years
Neither would the State have
money in the next several years
officials have said, to extend 9
southeast leg from Tuckermar
lane to Wisconsin avenue, il
State funds had to be used en-.
tirely to finance the route.
The designation as an inter.
state route, officials said, mean,
that the connecting link can bt
placed under construction con.
tracts this year, while Route 24(
itself is being built to Tucker.
man lane.