Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-08-13
Airport Debate


opponents Of the proposed
airport at Burke. Va, are
still using their old meth
DDS to defeat the Presidents
request for appropriations to
build the Washington supple
mental airport on the
c. A. A.-approved and con-
Observation-Disclosures site.
Although the old political
tactics worked in the past
years. in forcing delay and
consequential increased cost
to the taxpayer, they must be
threadbare by now. Through
the years this controversy
has been quite a show Of the
prevalence Of petty politics
over public interest. This is
believed to be plainly evil
denced at this time.
In view of the apparent
determination of the oppo-
sition to have their way, in
the airport controversy. a
new method Of approach to
the subject is believed to be
in order. Therefore it is sug-
gested to these economy
minded gentlemen that fur
Their economy might be at
tanned by elimination of the
c. A. A. entirely from the
scene and substituting their
own self-acclaimed super
knowledge in the field Of civil
aeronautics instead. Appar-
entity the opponents intend
to force their desire against
the recommendation of the
c. A. A.. the responsible
authority in the matter. any
way.
In consideration of our po-
sition as the so-called richest
nation in the world and our
continued largess in billions
to other nations all over the
world. II is a sad state Of
affsirs for the American
peonle If a mite in compari-
SIM cannot he spared to pro-
vide the ssfe. convenient and
ADEQUATE airport facility nee
essarv for our own Nations
Capital City.
Observer.
Your paper recently car
ried statements made by a
member Of the Fairfax Coun-
ty Board of Supervisors while
testifying before the House
committee considering Burke
airport concerning distance
and driving time difference
between the proposed Burke
and Chantilly sites and
downtown Washington.
On the afternoon of July
10, I made runs over the
shortest routes from both
Burke and Chantilly to the
Fourteenth Street Bridge.
The results are below, and
speak for themselves.
Chantilly corner to Four
tenth Street Bridge:
Route: US so to Fairfax,
then 50-2ll to bridge.
Start: 200 pm.
Arrival: 2::38 pm.
Elapsed time: 80 minutes.
Speed: At posted speed lin
it's.
Distance: 24.l miles.
TRAFFIC lights: 10.
Intersecting streets, roads
and driveways. estimated
over 200.
Burke site from intersec-
ton ROllte 643 IN Fnurtppnth
Street Bridge:
Route: GA to Springfield,
Shirley highway to bridge.
Start: $3.50 pm.
Finish: 1852 pm.
Elapsed time: 90 minutes.
Speed: At posted speed lin
its.
Distance: 1871 miles.
Trafflc lights: One tat SPRING
field.
Intersecting roads and
streets: IA.
High speed intersections with
Shirley highway: IL.
Neither Of the above test
drives considers the added
time and distance from the
bridge into Washington, or
the added mileage for the
access road which would have
to be built into the Chantilly
airport.
1t is obvious from my test
drives, which took place in
the noncongested periods Of
the day, that the distance
differential between Chantilly
and Burke is at least six miles,
and not three miles as stated
in your story. and that driv-
ing time in the case of Chan
lilly is sixteen minutes more
during the slack time of day.
This difference would be
greatly increased during the
rush hours, when II is well
trsa.s.,.. At..A nA..Nn en- 0Tf a..