Chapter 190. to authorize the Montgomery Bridge Company’ to construct and maintain a bridge across the Alabama River near the city of Montgomery, Alabama
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CHAP. 190.— An Act to authorize the Montgomery Bridge Company’ to construct and maintain a bridge across the Alabama River near the city of Montgomery, Alabama.March 1, 1893. *Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled*,Montgomery Bridge Company may bridge Alabama Hirer near Montgomery. Ala. That the Montgomery Bridge Company, a corporation created and existing under an act of the general assembly of the State of Alabama, for the purpose of constructing and maintaining the bridge hereinafter mentioned, be, and is hereby, Wagon bridge, etc.authorized to construct and maintain a wagon bridge for the passage of vehicles, foot passengers, and animals across the Alabama River, at such point as may be selected by such company between the junction of the Coosa and Tallapoosa rivers and the city of Montgomery, in the State of Alabama, said bridge to be so constructed as not to obstruct the navigation of said river and to be provided with a suitable draw: *Provided*, Draw*Proviso*.Lawful structure and post-route.That any bridge constructed under this act and according to its limitations 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 Postal telegraph.the United States shall have the right of way for a postal telegraph across said bridge.
Sec. 2. Secretary of War to approve plans, etc. That the bridge authorized to be constructed under this 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 one-half mile above and one-half mile below the proposed location, the topography of the banks of the river, the shore lines at high and low water, the direction and strength of the currents, and the soundings, accurately showing the bed of the stream, 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 any 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. Amendment, etc. That Congress reserves the right to alter, amend, or repeal this act at any time; and that if at any time navigation of 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 Changes.require the said bridge company to alter and change the 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 Forfeiture.Free navigation.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. Tolls. That said company shall be permitted to charge and take such rates of toll for crossing said bridge as may be reasonable, subject to the approval of the Secretary of War. Sec. 5. Opening draw. That the draw provided for the bridge herein authorized to be constructed shall be opened promptly upon reasonable signal for Lights, etc.the passing of boats; and said company or corporation shall 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. Use, by telegraph, etc., companies. That all telephone and telegraph companies shall be granted equal rights and privileges in the construction and operation of their lines across said bridge; and if actual 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 same date, the rights and privileges hereby granted shall cease and be determined.
Approved, March 1, 1893.