Chapter CXLII. *supplementary to an Act entitled “An Act to authorise the Construction, Extension [Extension, Construction] and Use of a lateral Branch of the Baltimore and Potomac Railroad Company into and within the District of Columbia,” approved February five, eighteen hundred and seventy* [*sixty-seven*]
498 words·~2 min read·
/statutes-at-large/vol-16/chapter-cxlii-713950·A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
CHAP. CXLII.— An Act *supplementary to an Act entitled “An Act to authorise the Construction, Extension [Extension, Construction] and Use of a lateral Branch of the Baltimore and Potomac Railroad Company into and within the District of Columbia,” approved February five, eighteen hundred and seventy* [*sixty-seven*]. June 21, 1870.1867, ch. 29.Vol. xiv. p. 887. *Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled*, 1869, ch. 2.*Ante*, p. 1.1870, ch. 33.*Ante*, p. 78.Lateral branch of Baltimore and Potomac Railroad may be extended, and connect, &c.;
That the Baltimore and Potomac Railroad Company be, and they are hereby, authorized and empowered to extend their lateral branch, authorized by the act to which this is a supplement, and by former supplements to said acts, by the way of Maryland Avenue, conforming to its grade, to the viaduct over the Potomac river, at the city of Washington, known as the Long Bridge, and o to extend their tracks over said bridge, and connect with any railroads constructed, or that may hereafter be constructed, in the State of Virginia.
To effect these purposes the said Baltimore and Potomac Railroadmay use Long Bridge. Company are hereby authorized and empowered to take possession of, hold, change, and use the said bridge, and the draws connected therewith, in perpetuity free of cost: *Provided*, That the said Baltimore and PotomacLong Bridge to be kept in repair, and free for ordinary travel. Railroad Company will maintain in good condition the said bridge, for railway and ordinary travel; and the bridge shall at all times be and remain a free bridge for public use for ordinary travel: *And provided further*, That the said Baltimore and Potomac Railroad Company shallDrawbridges. erect and maintain the drawbridges, so as not to impede the free navi-162FORTY-FIRST CONGRESS.
Sess. II. Ch. 142, 150. 1870.gation of the Potomac river, in efficient working condition at all times ; Repairs, &c. without cost to the United States.and that, until such time as the needful changes are made to accommodate railroad and other traffic, as contemplated by this supplement, it shall be the duty of the said Baltimore and Potomac Railroad Company to repair without delay all damages to the present bridge, and maintain it Other railroad companies may pass over bridge.without cost to the United States: *Provided*, [That] said railroad company shall give other railroad companies the right to pass over said bridge upon such reasonable terms as may be agreed upon, or Congress prescribe.
Sec. 2. United States may take possession of bridge if not kept in repair, free, &c.This act may be amended.*And be it further enacted*, That if the said Baltimore and Potomac Railroad Company shall at any time neglect to keep said bridge in good repair, and free for public use for ordinary travel, the government of the United States may enter into possession of the said bridge; and Congress reserves the right to alter or amend this law. Approved, June 21, 1870.