Chapter 74. authorizing the construction of a free bridge across the Arkansas River, connecting Little Rock and Argenta, Arkansas
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CHAP. 74.— An Act authorizing the construction of a free bridge across the Arkansas River, connecting Little Rock and Argenta, Arkansas.April 9, 1890. *Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled*,Pulaski County, Ark., may bridge Arkansas River at Little Rock.A free foots wagon, and street railway bridge.Location.Litigation. That it shall be lawful for the county of Pulaski, State of Arkansas, to build a free foot, wagon, and street-railway bridge across the Arkansas River, at the city of Little Rock, in Arkansas; and in case of any litigation arising from any obstruction or alleged obstruction to the free navigation of said river by reason of the construction of said bridge, the cause may be tried before the district court of the United States having jurisdiction over that portion of the State of Arkansas where said bridge shall be located.
Sec. 2. Draw-bridge. That if any bridge built under the provisions of this act shall be constructed as a drawbridge, the same shall be constructed Pivot-draw.Spans.as a pivot drawbridge, with a draw over the main channel of the river, at an accessible and navigable point, and with the spans of not less than one hundred and sixty feet in length in the clear, on each side of the central or pivot pier of the draw: and the next adjoining spans to the draw shall not be less than two hundred and fifty feet; and said span shall not be less than twenty feet above FIFTY-FIRST CONGRESS.
Sess. I. Chs. 74, 75. 1890.51 high-water mark, measuring to the bottom chord of the bridge: *And provided also*, That said draw shall be opened promptly upon*Proviso.*Opening of draws etc. reasonable signal for the passage of boats whose construction shall not be such as to admit of their passage under the permanent spans of said bridge; and the bridge-piers shall be parallel to the current of the river. Sec. 3. That any bridge constructed under this act and accordingLawful structural and post-route. to its limitations, shall be a lawful structure and shall be recognized and known as a post-route, upon which no charge shall be made for the transmission over the same of the mails, the troops, and the munitions of war of the United States.
Sec. 4. That the United States shall have the right of way forPostal telegraph.Use by telegraphs etc., companies. postal telegraph purposes across said bridge. And all telegraph and telephone companies shall have equal rights and privileges as to constructing their lines across said bridge. Sec. 5. That the said county of Pulaski shall submit to the SecretarySecretary of War to approve plans, etc. of War, for his approval, a plan with the necessary drawings of the said bridge conforming to the above requirements, and until the Secretary of War approve the plan and location of said bridge and notify the county court of the said county of the same in writing, the bridge shall not be built or commenced: and should anyChanges. change be made in the plan of the bridge during the progress of the work thereon, such change shall be subject likewise to the approval of the Secretary of War.
Sec. 6. That this act shall be null and void if actual constructionCommencement and completion. of the bridge herein authorized be not commenced within one year, and completed within three years from the approval of this act. Sec. 7. That Congress shall have power at any time to alter,Amendment. amend, or repeal this act, or any part thereof, if, in its judgment, the public interests so require, and any change in the construction of the bridge hereby authorized made necessary by the action of Congress, or the entire removal of the same, if required, shall be at the expense of the owners of said bridge, or the parties controllingExpense of change. and using the same.
Approved, April 9, 1890.