Chapter 170. to authorize the Lake Charles Road and Bridge Company, of Lake Charles, Louisiana, to construct and maintain bridges across English Bayou and Calcasieu River
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CHAP. 170.— An Act to authorize the Lake Charles Road and Bridge Company, of Lake Charles, Louisiana, to construct and maintain bridges across English Bayou and Calcasieu River.July 14, 1892. *Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled*,Lake Charles Road and Bridge Company may bridge English Bayou and Calcasieu River, La. That it shall be. lawful for the, Lake Charles Road and Bridge Company, a corporation created and existing under and by virtue of the laws of the State of Louisiana, or its assigns, to erect, construct, and maintain a bridge over the English Bayou and a bridge over Calcasieu River, in the State of Louisiana, at such points upon said bayou and river in township nine south and range eight west as may be found advantageous.
Said bridges shall be constructed to provide for the passage of wagons and vehicles of all kinds,Wagon, foot, etc., bridge. for the transit of animals, foot, passengers, and of all kinds of commerce, travel, or communication, and said corporation may charge and receive such reasonable tolls therefor as may be approved from time toTolls. time by the Secretary of War. Sec. 2. That each of said bridges shall be constructed as drawbridges,Draws. with an opening over the center of the channel of such width as the, Secretary of War shall determine, and which shall not be less than thirty feet in the clear across English Bayou and not less than fifty feet in the clear across Calcasieu River: *Provided also*, That said draws shall*Proviso*. be, opened promptly upon reasonable signal for the passage of boats,Opening draws. vessel, or other water craft, and in no ease shall unnecessary delay occur; and said company or corporation shall maintain, at its own expense, from sunset to sunrise, such lights or other signals on saidLights, etc. bridges as the Light House Board shall prescribe, and such sheer booms or other structures as may be necessary to safely guide vessels, boats, rafts, or other water craft safely through said draw openings as shall be designated and required by the Secretary of War.
Sec. 3. That said bridges shall be built and located under and subjectSecretary of War to approve plans, etc. to such regulations for the security of navigation of said bayou and 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 bridges and a map of the location, given for the space of one mile above and one mile below the proposed location the topography of the banks of the bayou and river, the shore lines at high and low water, the direction and strength of the current at all stages, and the soundings, accurately showing the bed of the streams, and shall furnish such 150 other information as may be required for a full and satisfactory understanding of the subject; and until the said plans and locations are approved by the Secretary of War the bridges shall not be built; and should any changes be made in the plans of said bridges during the progress of construction such change shall be submitted to the approval of the Secretary of War.
Sec. 4. That the right to alter, amend, or repeal this act, or to requireAmendment, etc. any changes in such structures, or their entire removal at the expense of the owners thereof, whenever the Secretary of War shall decide that the public interest requires it, and the right to prescribe such rules and regulations in regard to toll and otherwise as may be deemed reasonable, are expressly reserved. Sec. 5. That this act shall be null and void if actual construction ofCommencement and completion. the bridges herein authorized be not commenced within two years and completed within three years from the date hereof.
Approved, July 14, 1892.