Chapter 31.
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/statutes-at-large/vol-23/chapter-31-60378·A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
CHAP. 31.— An act to authorize the construction of railroad bridge across the Saint Croix River in the States of Wisconsin and Minnesota.April 28, 1884. *Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled*,Chippewa Falls and western Railway Company to construct railroad bridge across St. Croix River. That the Chippewa Fulls and Western Railway Company, created and existing under the laws of the State of Wisconsin, is hereby granted the right to construct an iron or steel bridge, with masonry piers, to be used by it, its successors or assigns, for railroad purposes, or for railroad and highway purposes, and as a public highway, with continuous span, across the Saint Croix River, from such point in the State of Wisconsin in township numbered thirty north, of range numbered twenty west of the fourth principal meridian, in the county of Saint Croix, which said corporation may select, to such point in the county of Washington, in the State of Minnesota, opposite *Proviso*.thereto, as said corporation may select: *Provided*, That the bridge to be constructed under the authority hereby granted shall not interfere with Free navigation of river to be maintained.the free navigation of said stream beyond what is necessary in order to carry into full effect the rights and privileges hereby granted; and that said piers shall be built at right angles with the current of the stream where said bridge may be erected, and that each span shall be not less *Proviso*.
Legal structure; and a post-road. *Proviso*.than one hundred and twenty-five feet: *Provided*, That said bridge shall be and be considered a legal structure, and shall be a post-road for the transmission of the United States mails: *And provided further*, That the bridge shall be built with one span of not less than one hundred and fifty feet in the clear over the navigable channel, with a height of not less than sixty feet in the clear above low-water mark. Sec. 2. Building and location subject to regulations of Secretary of War.
That any bridge authorized to be constructed under this act shall be built and located under and subject to such regulations for the security of navigation of said river as the Secretary of War shall from time to time prescribe; and to secure that object the said company shall submit to the Secretary of War, for his examination and approval, a design and drawing of the bridge, and a map of the proposed location, giving, for the space of one mile above and one mile below the proposed location, the topography of the banks of the river, the shore lines at high and low water, the direction and strength of the currents at all stages, and the soundings, accurately showing the bed of the stream, the location of any other bridge or bridges, and shall furnish such other information as may be required for a full and satisfactory Plan, etc., to approved by Secretary of War.understanding of the subject; and until the said plan and location of the bridge are approved by the Secretary of War the bridge shall not be built; and the Secretary of War shall determine the proper length of the spans of said bridge, and the height thereof above highwater mark, and as to the plan of the bridge in all respects; and if it be found at any time that such bridge unnecessarily or materially obstructs navigation, he shall require the necessary changes to be made therein, in the interest of such navigation, at the expense of said company; and said company Lights and signals.shall maintain, at its own expense, from sunset until sunrise, such lights or other signals on said bridge as the Light-House Board shall prescribe. 15 Sec. 3.
That the said railroad company shall have the right to constructPassage-ways. passageways on said bridge for foot-passengers and vehicles of every description, and to charge a reasonable toll therefor; but the rates of toll shall be submitted to the Secretary of War and shall beTolls. subject to this approval and to any change he may think proper from time to time. Sec. 4. That such alterations or changes as may be required by the Secretary of War or Congress in any bridge constructed under the provisions of this act shall be made by the said railroad company at their own expense; and it is hereby expressly provided that Congress reserves the right at any time to alter, amend, or repeal this act.
Approved, April 28, 1884.