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Show 2. Conflicts Between Water Development and Highways The Problem Difficulties and expenses presented for highway construction and maintenance by water resources development. The Situation The principal conflict of interest between water development and normal highway uses lies in the increased construction costs, relocation costs, and maintenance expenses for highways and bridges caused by navigation improvements. The bridge problem is particularly pronounced in the metropolitan Washington area. Availability of bridge capacity has influenced the development of the city in an important way. The develop- ment of some desirable areas has been retarded, and development of undesirable areas has been pro- moted because of the high costs of placing structures over navigable channels. The important role these structures have in the everyday life of Washington is represented by the 196,400 vehicle crossings per day over the 5 swingbridges or drawbridges. The initial construction costs for these bridges were about 19.9 million dollars, about 18 percent of which was due to the need for accommodating navi- gation. Costs of operating these bridges are ap- proximately $138,000 per year. It is estimated that the additional costs to motorists, mostly fuel consumption while awaiting boat passage, are about $136,000 per year. Recent annual water-borne tonnage on the Potomac has been about 700,000 tons. If the water development program of the Poto- mac River Basin9 were undertaken, significant amounts of road relocation and bridge alteration would be necessary. State highway departments in the basin are now in the midst of their largest pro- grams of road construction and reconstruction, at- tempting to modernize substandard roads to provide safe driving conditions. In Maryland alone, the highway, railroad, and public utility alterations re- quired by the water development as reported in the cost estimate10 would amount to approximately 26.7 million dollars. This is nearly half of the 1 H. Doc. No. 622, 79th Cong., 2d sess. "Ibid. total amount spent by Maryland for roads in 1949. In flood control work in the Anacostia River three new bridges will be required with accompanying highway relocation. Greater mileage, unfavorable location, and soil erosion problems will increase maintenance costs significantly, according to the Bureau of Public Roads. Recently legislation has authorized a national parkway plan and program with ultimate parallel parkways extending to above Great Falls. A survey for an extension along one bank to Cumberland has also been authorized. Since one of the primary purposes of parkway development is recreational, it is discussed in the following problem, B-3. Conclusions Since Potomac water development projects may give rise to significant highway construction and maintenance problems: (1) Highway agencies should plan highway and bridge alterations associated with water develop- ment projects jointly with the construction agencies, and all agencies should work closely through the planning and construction stage. (2) Costs of such alterations should be con- sidered part of water development construction costs. (3) Increased cost of highway maintenance and operation thereon because of water development should be considered in calculating benefits and costs. 3. Conflicts Between Water Developments and Park, Parkway, and Recreational Uses The Problem The extent to which there are existing or potential conflicts between the water development of the Po- tomac River and park, parkway, and recreational uses in the basin, and what steps are suggested as a means of resolving these conflicts. The Situation The character and the location of the Potomac River in its relation to the Nation's Capital present a problem in adjustments between river control works and parks, highway, and recreational uses which is unique in the United States. Flowing 603 |