Evening star., 1961-01-25
u. S.. Proposes Rise
In D. c. Road Grant
$478 Million
Total Allotment
Cheers Aitken
By GILBERT GINIBLE
Star Stan Writer

~ OAA~ASASAS4 @A4sAA1A6
Star Stan Writer
Harold L. Aitken, District
highway director, today hailed
a proposed increase of nearly
$100 million in interstate aid
for the city's road program as
a Substantial benefit" for the
Districts highway plans.
The Federal Bureau of Pub
lie Roads, in a revised national
estimate submitted to Congress
earlier this month, has al
lowed the District $478 million
for the total cost of interstate
roads. including the Districts
share. This is a Jump from the
1857 estimate of 1855 million.
The Federal roads bureau,
however, has come in for sharp
criticism from Maryland Off
cials who are complaining
about a reduction of some $85
million in the States allot-
ment.
Virginia also has been given
a reduction, the largest cut Of
any State.
Ramp Fund Cut Out
District highway officials re-
Quested that funds be allotted
for $3.50 million in roads the
city has planned as qualifying
for interstate aid, Mr.. Aitken
said. All the requests were ap-
proved by the bureau, he said,
except 50 million in projects
involving ramps, which bureau
officials turned down.
He said the Districts new
apportionment factor-the per-
centage of whatever annual
funds are approved by Congress
as jumped from about nine+
tenths of l per cent to las per-
cent.
The Maryland slice of inter-
state funds has been cut from
2.25 per cent to 1.85 per cent.
Virginia's factor has been CUT
from 4.23 per cent to 3.07 per
cent.
Under the Federal interstate
highway aid program, 80 per
cent of the cost of the new
roads is paid for by the Federal
Government and the remaining
10 per cent is paid by the
States.
Road Plan Enlarged
Mr.. Aitken said the Districts
road building program has
grown since the 1857 estimates
were made. Recommendations
proposed by the Mass Trans
portation Survey also included
new and more expensive free
ways that qualify for interstate
aid, he said.
The increased apportion-
ments, should Congress approve
the latest Bureau of Public
Roads estimates, would start in
fiscal 1868 and continue for
four years.
Thus, Mr.. Aitken pointed out,
should Congress approve So
billion for the Nation for fiscai
1963-this is the figure already
approved for the current fiscal
year-the District would be
allotted about $29 million in
Federal aid for the year in
stead of only $40 million.
So far the District has obli-
gated only $40 million in inter-
state road projects. 1t has been
apportioned an additional S6s
million but the shortage in ths
interstate highway trust fund
has meant half the amount
cannot be obligated yet.
Congress Restudy Due
Congress is due to re-examiae
the entire interstate highway
program this year.
Mr.. Aitken also noted that
the District will have to come
up with some method of rais-
ing the 10 per cent matching
funds. He has warned that the
city's highway fund faces e
deficit in 1864.
The proposed cut in Mary
lands share of the Federal
funds has prompted four o.
the States congressional lead
ers to seek restoration of the
funds.
Republican Senators BeaE
and Butler repeatedly have
joined forces with Democratic
Representatives Fallon 'anG
Friedel in protesting the cut
Senator Butler said the bu-
reau's action will seriously af-
feet Maryland's highway pro-
gram" He asked bureau Of
ficials for an explanation OF
their move.
John B. Funk, State Roads
Commission chairman, has sale
the cut will not reduce the
number of miles of interstate
roads but will eliminate
planned interchanges and other
improvements.