Chapter 361. to authorize the Louisiana North and South Railroad company to construct and maintain a bridge across the Red River in Louisiana
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CHAP. 361.— An Act to authorize the Louisiana North and South Railroad company to construct and maintain a bridge across the Red River in Louisiana.Mar. 3, 1887. *Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled*,Louisiana North and South Railroad Company authorized to bridge Red River, at Alexandria, La.Railway, wagon, and loot bridge. That the Louisiana North and South Railroad Company, a corporation created and existing under and by virtue of the laws of the State of Louisiana, be, and is hereby, authorized to construct and maintain a railway and wagon bridge across the Red River at or near the town of Alexandria, Louisiana, at such point as may be selected by the said railroad company for crossing said river with their railroad line, the said bridge to be so constructed as not to interfere with the navigation of said river, and to be provided with a *Proviso*.To be a lawful structure and post-route.suitable draw: *Provided*, That any bridge constructed under this act and according to its limitations shall be a lawful structure, and shall be known and recognized as a post-route, and the same is hereby declared to be a post-route, upon which also no higher charge shall be made for the transmission over the same of the mails, the troops, and the munitions of war of the United States, or for through passengers or freight-passing over said bridge, than the rate per mile paid for their transportation over the railroads leading to the said bridge; and the United Postal telegraph.States shall have the right of way for a postal telegraph across said bridge.
Sec. 2. That the bridge authorized to be constructed under this actPlans, etc., to be approved by Secretary of War. shall be located and built under and subject to such regulations for the security of the navigation of said river as the Secretary of War shall prescribe; and to secure that object the said company or corporation shall submit to the Secretary of War, for his examination and approval, a design and drawings of the proposed bridge, and a map of the 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, and the soundings, accurately showing the bed of the stream, and shall furnish such other information as may be required for a full and satisfactory understanding of the subject; and until the said plan and location 509 of the bridge are approved by the Secretary of War no work upon the bridge shall be commenced; and should any change be, made in the plan of said bridge during the progress of construction, such change shall be subject to the approval of the Secretary of War.
Sec. 3. That Congress reserves the right to alter, amend, or repealRight to amend, etc., reserved.Not to obstruct navigation. this act at any time; and that if at any time navigation of the said river shall in any manner be obstructed or impaired by the said bridge, the Secretary of War shall have authority, and it shall be bis duty, to require the said railroad company to alter and change the said bridge at its own expense, in such manner as may be proper to secure free and complete navigation without impediment; and if upon reasonable notice to said railroad company to make such change or improvements the said company fails to do so, the Secretary of War shall have authority to make the same at the expense of said company, and all the rights conferred by this act shall be forfeited; and Congress shall have power to do any and all things necessary to secure the free navigation of the river.
Sec. 4. That said company shall be. permitted to charge and takeTolls. such rates of toll for crossing said bridge as may be reasonable, subject to the approval of the Secretary of War. Sec. 5. That the draw provided for the bridge herein authorized to Opening draw.be constructed shall be opened promptly upon reasonable signal for the passing of boats; and said company or corporation shall maintain, at its own expense, from sunset till sunrise, such lights or other signals onLights. aid bridge as the Light-House Board shall prescribe.
Sec. 6. That all railroad companies desiring the use of said bridgeOther roads may use. shall have and be entitled to equal rights and privileges relative to the passage of railway trains over the same, and over the approaches thereto, upon payment of a reasonable compensation for such use ; andCompensation. in case the owner or owners of said bridge and the several railroad companies, or any one of them, desiring such use, shall fail to agree Secretary of War to decide disagreements.upon the sum or sums to be paid, and upon rules and conditions to which each shall conform in using said bridge, all matters at issue between them shall be decided by the Secretary of War, upon a hearing of the allegations and proofs of the parties; and if said bridge is not commenced within two years and completed within four years from the passage of this act, the rights and privileges hereby granted shall be mill and void.
Approved, March 3, 1887.