Chapter 107. to authorize the construction of a bridge across the Saint Marys River, between the States of Florida and Georgia
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CHAP. 107.— An Act to authorize the construction of a bridge across the Saint Marys River, between the States of Florida and Georgia.February 14, 1893. *Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled*,Florida Central and Peninsular Railroad Company and Florida Northern Railroad Company may bridge Saint Marys River, Georgia, and Florida. That the Florida Central and Peninsular Railroad Company, a corporation existing under the laws of the State of Florida, and the Florida Northern Railroad Company, of Georgia, a corporation existing under the laws of the State of Georgia, or their successors or assigns, be, and hereby are, authorized to construct and maintain a bridge for railroad and other purposes over and across the Saint Marys River, between the States of Georgia and Florida, on the line of their railroad from Harts Road, in the State of Florida, to Savannah, in the State of Georgia, and at such precise point on said river as may be fixed or approved by the Secretary of War.
Sec. 2. That said bridge shall lie constructed for the passage of railroadRailway, wagon, and foot bridge. trains, and, at the option of the corporation by which it may be built, for the transit of foot passengers, animals, wagons, and vehicles of all kinds, for such reasonable rates of toll as may be approved fromTolls. time to time by the Secretary of War. Sec. 3. That said bridge, when built and constructed under this actLawful structure and post route. and according to the terms and limitations thereof, shall be a lawful structure, and shall be recognized and known as a post route, upon which no higher charge shall be made for the transmission of mails, 448 troops, and munitions of war of the United States than the rate per mile paid over the railroad leading to said bridge; and said bridge shall enjoy the rights and privileges of other post routes of the United States, Postal telegraph.and the United States shall have a right of way for postal telegraph over and across said bridge.
Sec. 4. That all railroad companies desiring the use of said bridge shallUse by railroad companies. have and be entitled to equal rights and privileges relative to the passage of railway trains or cars over the same, and over the approaches thereto, Compensation.upon the payment of reasonable compensation tor 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 as such compensation, or upon rules and conditions to which each shall conform in using said bridge, all matters so at issue between them shall be decided by the Secretary of War upon a hearing of the allegations and proofs of the parties.
Sec. 5. That said bridge shall be constructed and built without interferenceSecretary of War to approve plans. etc. with the security and convenience of the navigation of said river beyond what is necessary to carry into effect the rights and privileges hereby granted; and. in order to secure that object, the said corporation shall, before commencing the construction of said bridge, submit to the Secretary of War a plan and drawings of the bridge, and a map of the river and shores for a distance of a mile above and a mile below the proposed location, together with ail information touching said bridge, its approaches, and the river which said officer may deem requisite; and it shall be the duty of the Secretary of War. upon being satisfied that a bridge upon such plan and locus will conform to the conditions of this act, to notify said corporations that he approves the same: whereupon, and not sooner, said corporations may proceed to the erection of said bridge, conforming strictly to the approved plan and Changes.location: and likewise any change in the plan of the bridge or accessory works during the progress of the work thereon shall be subject *Proviso*.Opening draw.to the approval of the Secretary of War: *Provided*, That if said bridge shall be constructed as a drawbridge, the draw shall be opened promptly upon reasonable signal for the passage of boats, and said corporation shall maintain at its own expense, from sunset to sunrise, such lights Lights, etc.or other signals on said bridge as the Light-House Board shall prescribe.
Sec. 6. That Congress shall have power at any time to alter, amend,Amendment, etc.*Proviso*.Existing laws not affected. or repeal this act: *Provided*, That nothing in this act shall be so construed as to repeal or modify any of the provisions of law now existing in reference to the protection of the navigation of rivers, or to exempt this bridge from the operation of the same. Sec. 7. That this act shall be null and void if actual construction ofCommencement and completion. said bridge be not commenced within one year and completed within three years from the date of this act.
Approved, February 14, 1893.