Chapter 501.
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/statutes-at-large/vol-26/chapter-501-3461856·A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
CHAP. 501.— An act to authorize the Rapides Bridge Company, limited, to construct and maintain a bridge across Red River at or near Alexandria, Louisiana.March 2, 1891. *Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled*,Rapides Bridge Company may bridge Red River, at Alexandria, La. That the Rapides Bridge Company, limited, 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 highway and railway bridge across the Red River at or near the town of Alexandria, the said bridge to be so constructed as not to interfere with the navigation of said river, and to be provided with a suitable draw: *Provided*, That*Proviso*. any bridge constructed under this act and according to its limitationsLawful structure and post route. 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, and the United States shall have the right of way for a postal telegraph across said bridge.
Sec. 2. That the bridge authorized to be constructed under thisSecretary of War to approve plans, etc. act 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 two miles above and two miles below the proposed location, the high and low water lines upon the banks of the river, the direction and strength of the currents, 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 maps 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 until the said plan and location of the bridge are approved by the Secretary of War no work upon the bridge shall be commenced; and should anyChanges. 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 repealAmendment, etc. 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 his duty, to require the said bridge company to alter and change theAlterations, etc. 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 bridge 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 take such rates of toll for crossing said bridge as may be reasonable, subjectToll. to the approval of the Secretary of War. 826FIFTY-FIRST CONGRESS. Sess. II. Chs. 501, 517. 1891. Sec. 5. That the draw provided for the bridge herein authorizedDraw. to be constructed shall be opened promptly upon reasonable signal for the passing of boats; and said company or corporation shall Lights, etc.maintain, at its own expense, from sunset till sunrise, such lights or other signals on said bridge as the Light House Board shall prescribe.
Sec. 6. That all telephone and telegraph companies shall be grantedUse by telephone and telegraph companies. equal rights and privileges in the construction and operation of their lines across said bridge; and if act mil construction of the bridge herein Commencement and completion.authorized shall not be commenced within one year from the passage of this act, and be completed within three years from the same date, the rights and privileges hereby granted shall cease and be determined.
Sec. 7. That all railroad companies desiring the use of said bridgeUse by railroad companies. shall have and be entitled to equal rights and privileges relative to the passage of railway trains over the same, and over the approaches Terms.thereto, upon payment of a reasonable compensation for such use; and 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 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.
Sec. 8. That the said company may associate or join with themselves.Joining with other companies authorized. in the construction, maintenance, and operation of said bridge, the Kansas City, Watkins and Gulf Railway Company, or any other railway company duly incorporated under the laws of the State of Louisiana. Approved, March 2, 1891.