Chapter 68. to authorize the construction of a bridge across the Missouri River at De Witt
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CHAP. 68.— An Act to authorize the construction of a bridge across the Missouri River at De Witt. Carroll county, Missouri, and to establish it as a post road.May 12, 1892. *Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled*,Brook field and Northern Railroad Company may bridge Missouri River at De Witt. Mo. That it shall be lawful for the Brookfield and Northern Railroad Company, a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Missouri, or its successors or assigns, to construct a bridge across the Missouri River at a point opposite, or as nearly opposite as may be, to the town of De Witt, in the county of Carroll and State of Missouri; that said bridge may be constructed for Railway and wagon bridge.railway, wagon, and postal service, with single or double track for railway traffic, and which shall be under the conditions and limitations hereinafter specified.
Sec. 2. That said bridge shall not interfere with the free navigationUnobstructed navigation. of said river beyond what may be necessary to carry into effect the rights and privileges herein granted, and in case of any litigation arising Litigation.under the provisions of this act such litigation may be tried and determined by the circuit court of the United States within whose jurisdiction said bridge is located. Sec. 3. That the bridge hereby authorized to be constructed mustConstruction. be constructed as a high bridge, with unbroken and continuous spans, Spans.all spans over the water way to have a clear channel way of not less than four hundred feet and a clear head room of not less than fifty-five feet above high water mark.
Sec. 4 That any bridge constructed under this act shall be a lawfulLawful structure and post route. structure and shall be known as a post road, and the same is hereby declared to be a post road, over which no higher charge shall be made for the transmission of mails, troops, and munitions of war of the Government of the United States or for passenger or freight passing over the same than the rate per mile charged for their transportation over the railroad or public highways leading to the said bridge, and equal privileges in the use of said bridge shall be granted to all telegraph Postal telegraph.and telephone companies.
The United States shall have also the right of way over said bridge for postal-telegrap purposes. Sec. 5. That all railway companies desiring to use said bridge shallUse by other companies. be entitled to equal rights and privileges in using the same, including 31 the machinery and fixtures thereto belonging, and also the approaches thereto, upon such terms and conditions as shall be prescribed by theTerms. Secretary of War upon hearing the allegations and proofs of the parties in interest, in case the parties in interest shall not be able to agree upon such terms and conditions.
Sec. 6. That the said railway company, before entering upon theSecretary of War to approve plans, etc. construction of said bridge, shall submit to the Secretary of War plans and drawings of said structure, together with a map of the location thereof for one mile above and one mile below said location, giving the topography of the banks of the river, the shore lines at high and low water, the direction and strength of the current of said river at all stages of the water, showing also the bed of the river and the channel, with such other and further information as the Secretary of War may require; which said drawings and other information aforesaid shall be examined by him, and if he shall approve the same he shall so notify the said railway company of such approval, and thereupon said Company may proceed to the erection of said bridge.
The Secretary ofAlterations. War may make such alterations in such plans as he may deem necessary to the better protection of navigation, and such alterations shall be adopted and paid for by the said railway company or its successors and assigns. The said railway company may at any time make any alterations deemed advisable to be made in said bridge, but must first submit such proposed alterations to the Secretary of War. and his approval shall be first had before they shall be made.
Sec. 7. That the said bridge herein authorized to be constructedAids to navigation. shall be so kept and managed at all times as to afford proper means and ways tor the passage of vessels, barges, or rafts under it both by day and night. There shall be displayed on said bridge from sunset to sunrise such lights and signals as may be directed by the Light-HouseLights, etc. Board, and such changes may be made from time to time in the structure of said bridge as the Secretary of War may direct, at the expense of said company or its successors and assigns, in order the more effectually to preserve the free navigation of said river, or the said structure shall be altogether removed, if in the judgment of the Secretary of War the public good may require such removal, and without expense or charge to the United States.
Sec. 8. That this act shall be null and void if actual construction ofCommencement and completion. the bridge herein authorized be not commenced within two years and completed within four years from the date of the approval of this act. Sec. 9. That the right to alter, amend, or repeal this act is herebyAmendment, etc. specially reserved. Approved, May 12, 1892.