Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1959-05-07
HIGHWAY
Continued From First Page

Continued From First Page
emphatically the idea of a Wis
consin avenue freeway to
Montgomery County. Last week
the District Commissioners an
nounced that planning studies
had failed to prove the need
for any interstate freeway
utilizing the Wisconsin corri-
dor. Late yesterday, by a split
vote, the city heads reaf1rmed
this stand despite the steering
committee action.
But Commissioner Robert e.
Mclaughlin, who heads the
steering group, and who voted
against the Wisconsin corridor
rejection yesterday, predicted
today that the new plan win be
approved by the National Capt.
tai Planning Commission and
the. National Capital Regional
Planning Council, which are
jointly preparing the Mass
Transportation plan.
And Brig. Gen. Alvin c.
yelling. the District Engineer
Commissioner. who cast the
only negative vote at the Steer
ing committee meeting, said
that he was ordering the high
way department to take the
new cross-park proposal under
study.
Gen. yelling and Commits
sioner David B. Karrick voted
against Mr.. Mclaughlin in re-
affirming the city's official
stand against the Wisconsin
corridor idea. Gen. yelling
said he still feels the need for
an expressway from Tenley
circle to the inner loop has not
been shown.
Would Permit Trucks
The proposed expressway
would carry trucks despite its
crossing of parkland normally
barred to such traffic. The
high-level bridge would have
the effect of minimizing the
impact of truck traffic on the
park, officials noted.
Yesterdays Steering Commit
tees vote was cast by Harland
Bartholomew, chairman of the
National Capital Planning
Commission; Donald Gingery,
chairman of the Regional
Planning Council, and Max
Wehrle, Virginia planner. Mr..
Mclaughlin as chairman did
not vote.
Mr.. Mclaughlin said the
cross-park route, which was
proposed by Mr.. Bartholomew
initially, would cost about $24
million, much less than other
alternatives.
"A North Capitol street free
way, which Gen. yelling and
District highway officials indi-
Gated they would prefer to any
Wisconsin connecting freeway,
would cost more Mr.. McLaugh-
Mr.. Mclaughlin said.
Mr.. Mclaughlin said the
construction of the suggested
six-lane freeway would not
eliminate the need for park
way which the city is planning
in the Glover-Archbold Park
west of Wisconsin avenue.
The Commissioners last week
rejected the Wisconsin freeway
idea on the ground that con-
sultants had failed to show the
need for an expressway-t type
link in that direction But
some planning leaders today
voiced an expectation that the
commissioners eventually will
reverse this position.
Stress Federal Aid
The city has to make the
final decision as to whether it
wants to build a wisconsin
avenue road with interstate
Federal aid funds. This they
are under strong pressure to do
from Maryland authorities who
want to take advantage of the
liberal Federal aid possible for
interstate projects. The Fed
eral Government contributes go
per cent of the cost in such
projects.
If the Bartholomew plan
we're approved, the District
portion of the freeway would
also be 80 per cent Federally
financed.
Harold Aitken, the District
highway director, said he would
prefer to use the 80 per cent
aid money in the North Capt.
toll corridor, but some other
planners take a dim view OF
this idea.
Bertram D. Tanarny, Federal
highway administrator, said
today that the newly proposed
plan on the basis of informa-
ton so far made available to
him is agreeable to the Bureau
of Public Roads and can qualify
for 80 per cent Federal con-
etruction funds as part of the
interstate highway system.
One planner said today he
felt the Bartholomew pro-
posal was regarded as highly
feasible by everyone except the
District Commissioners.
The National Park Service
has consistently opposed any
effort to run a freeway through
Rock Greek Park from Mary
land. This made doubly signif-
lcant the reported willingness,