Chapter 160. To authorize the Pittsburg and Mansfield Railroad Company to construct and maintain a bridge across the Monongahela River
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CHAP. 160.— An Act To authorize the Pittsburg and Mansfield Railroad Company to construct and maintain a bridge across the Monongahela River.March 2, 1895. *Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled*,Pittsburg and Mansfield Railroad Company may bridge Monongahela River Pittsburg, Pa. That the Pittsburg and Mansfield Railroad Company, a corporation existing under the laws of the State of Pennsylvania, is hereby authorized to construct, maintain, and operate a railroad bridge across the Monongahela River between a Location.point at or near the junction of Ferry and Water streets, in the city of Pittsburg, and a point on the opposite side at or near the line of Carson street, south side, in the city of Pittsburg, State of Pennsylvania; and said bridge, when built in accordance with the requirements of Railroad, etc., bridge.High bridge.this Act, shall be a legal structure, and may be used for railroad and highway purposes.
Sec. 2. That any bridge built tinder the.provisions of this Act shall not be in any case of less elevation than eighty feet from the level of the water at pool full in said river to the bottom chord of said bridge, nor shall the main span be of less than seven hundred and fifty feet in length in the clear, and the piers of the bridge shall be parallel with the current of the river, and the main span shall be over the main channel of the river at ordinary water. Sec. 3. That to secure a compliance with the conditions of this ActSecretary of War to approve plans, etc. the company, previous to commencing the construction of the bridge, shall submit to the Secretary of War a plan of the bridge and the location of its piers, with a detailed map of the river at the proposed site of the bridge and for a distance of three-fourths of a mile above and below the site, exhibiting the depths and currents at all points of the same and the location of any other bridge or bridges, together with all other information touching said bridge and river as may be deemed requisite by the Secretary of War to determine whether the said bridge when built will conform to the provisions of this Act and cause no serious obstruction to the navigation of the river or injuriously affect the flow of water.
Sec. 4. That the Secretary of War is hereby authorized and directed,Notification of approval, etc. upon receiving said plan and map, and upon being satisfied that a bridge built on such plan and at said locality will conform to the provisions of this Act and cause no serious obstruction to the navigation of the river or injuriously affect the How of water, to notify the said company that he approves the same, and upon receiving such notification the said company may proceed to the erection of said bridge, conforming strictly to the proposed plan and location.
But until the Secretary of War shall approve, the plan and location of the said bridge, and notify the said company of the same in writing, the bridge shall Changes.not be built or commenced; and should any 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. 5. That said bridge shall be constructed to provide for the passageUse by passengers, wagons, etc. of railroad trains and. at. the option of the corporation by which it may be built, may be used for the passage of wagons and vehicles of all kinds for the transit of animals, and for foot passengers, for such Toll.reasonable rates of toll as may be approved from time to time by the Secretary of War.
Sec. 6. That all railroad companies desiring the use of any bridgeUse by other companies. constructed under this Act shall 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, upon payment of Compensation.reasonable compensation for 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 and upon the rules and conditions to which each shall conform in using said bridge, all matters at issue between them shall be decided by the Secretary of War upon a hearing of the allegations and proofs of the parties. 703 Sec. 7.
That said bridge herein authorized to be constructed shall beAids to navigation. so kept and managed at all times as to afford proper means and ways for the passage of vessels, barges, or rafts, both by day and by night; and there shall be displayed on said bridge by the owners thereof, from sunset to sunrise, such lights or other signals as the. Light-House BoardLights, etc. may prescribe; and such changes shall be made from time to time in the structure of said bridge as the Secretary of War may direct, at the expense of the said company, in order the more effectually to preserve the free navigation of said river.
Sec. 8. That this Act shall be null and void unless the constructionCommencement and completion. of said bridge shall be commenced within one year and completed within three years from the passage of this Act. Sec. 9. That Congress shall have power at any time to alter, amend,Amendment, etc. or repeal this Act. Approved, March 2, 1895.