Chapter 121.
656 words·~3 min read·
/statutes-at-large/vol-26/chapter-121-3086274·A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
CHAP. 121.— An act to authorize the Norfolk and Western Railroad Company to bridge the Tug Fork of the Big Sandy River at certain points, where the same forms the boundary line between the States of West Virginia and Kentucky.February 9, 1891. *Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled*,Norfolk and Western Railroad Company may bridge Tug Fork of Big Sandy River, between West Virginia and Kentucky. Location of bridges.
That it shall be lawful for the Norfolk and Western Railroad Company, a corporation existing under the laws of Virginia and West Virginia, to construct and maintain bridges and approaches thereto across the Tug Fork of the Big Sandy River at such points where the same forms the boundary line between the States of West Virginia and Kentucky as the said company may deem suitable for the passage of its road over the said fork of the Big Sandy River, subject to the approval of the Secretary of War.
Sec. 2. That any bridge or bridges authorized to be constructedLawful structures and post routes. under this act shall be lawful structures, and shall be recognized and known as post routes, and they shall enjoy all the rights and privileges of other post roads in the United States, upon which also no higher charge shall be made for the transmission over the same of the mails, or for through passengers or freight passing over said bridge or bridges and approaches, than the rate per mile paid for transportation over the railroads leading to said bridge or bridges;
Postal telegraph, etcand the United States shall have the light of way for postal telegraph and telephone purposes without charges therefor across said bridge or bridges and approaches. Said bridge or bridges shall be built and located under and subjectSecurity of navigation. to such regulations for the security of navigation 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 examinationMaps, plans, etc. and approval, a design and drawings of the bridge or bridges and a map of the location or locations, giving, for the space of one FIFTY-FIRST CONGRESS.
Sess. II. Chs. 121, 122, 123. 1891.737 mile above and one mile below the proposed location or locations, the high and low water lines upon the banks of the river or rivers, the direction and strength of the current at all stages of the water, with the soundings, accurately showing the bed of the stream, and the location of any other bridge or bridges, such map to be sufficiently in detail to enable the Secretary of War to judge of the proper location of said bridge, and shall furnish such other information as may be required for a full and satisfactory understanding of the subject; and should any change be made in the plan of said bridge orChange of plan. bridges during the progress of construction or after completion, such changes shall be subject to the approval of the Secretary of War.
Sec. 3. That the right to alter, amend, or repeal this act. is herebyAmendment, etc. expressly reserved, and the right to require any changes in said structures, or any of them, or their entire removal at the expense ofStructural changes. the owners thereof, or the corporation or persons controlling the same, whenever the public interest requires it, is also expressly reserved. Sec. 4. That on any bridge or bridges constructed under the provisionsLights etc. of this act there shall be maintained, at the expense of the company or corporation owning or controlling the same, such lights and other signals as may be prescribed by the Light-House Board.
Sec. 5. That this act shall be null and void if actual constructionCommencement and completion. of the bridges herein authorized be not completed within three years from the date hereof. Approved, February 9, 1891.