Chapter 171. To authorize the construction of a bridge across the Illinois River at or near the town of Hennepin
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CHAP. 171.— An Act To authorize the construction of a bridge across the Illinois River at or near the town of Hennepin.March 2, 1895. *Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled*,Illinois River Bridge Company may bridge Illinois River at Hennepin, Ill. That the Illinois River Bridge Company, of Hennepin, a corporation organizing under the laws of the State of Illinois, its assigns, grantees, successors, and legal Representatives, be, and are hereby, authorized to build, own, operate, and maintain a bridge and approaches thereto over the Illinois River at or near the town of Hennepin, in said State of Illinois.
Said bridge shall beRail way, wagon, and foot bridge. constructed to provide for the passage of railway trains, and, at the option of the persons by whom 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 reasonable rates of toll as the owner or owners of said bridge may from time to time prescribe, subject to the approval of the Secretary of War: *Provided*, That all railroad*Proviso*.Use by other companies. companies desiring the use of said bridge and the approaches thereto shall have and be entitled to equal privileges in the use thereof upon the payment of reasonable compensation therefor, and in case of any disagreement regarding the compensation to be paid or the conditions to be observed the matters at issue shall be decided by the Secretary of War upon proper hearing.
Sec. 2. That any bridge authorized to be constructed under this ActSecretary of War to approve plans, etc. shall be built and located under and subject to such regulations for the security of navigation of said river as the Secretary of War shall pie-scribe; and to secure that object the company or corporation shall submit to the Secretary of War for his examination and approval a design and drawing of the bridge and a map of the location, giving, for the space of one mile above and below the proposed location, the topography of the banks of the river, the shore lines at low and high water, the direction and current strength at all stages, and the soundings, accurately showing the bed of the stream, and shall furnish such other 740 information as shall be required for the full and satisfactory understanding of the subject; and until the said plan and location of the bridge are approved by the Secretary of War the bridge shall not be Changes.built; and should any change be made in the plan of said bridge during the progress of construction, such change shall be subject to Commencement and completion.approval of the Secretary of War; and if said bridge is not commenced within one year and completed within three years from the passage of this Act the rights and privileges hereby granted shall be null and void.
Sec. 3. That any bridge constructed under this Act and accordingLawful structure and post route. to its limitations shall be a lawful structure and shall be recognized and known as a post route, upon which, also, no higher charge shall be made for the transmission over the same of the mails, the troops, and the munitions of war of the United States than the rates established and paid by the general public for like service: and the United States Postal telegraph.Litigation.shall have the right of way for postal telegraph and telephone purposes across said bridge.
That in case of any litigation concerning any alleged obstruction to the free navigation of said river on account of said bridge, the cause may be tried before the circuit court of the United States in whose jurisdiction said obstruction or bridge is located. That Opening draw.if the said bridge shall be constructed as a drawbridge the draw shall be opened promptly, upon reasonable signal, for the passage of boats, and whatever kind of bridge is constructed the said company or corporation shall maintain, at its own expense, from sunset to sunrise, such Lights, etc.lights or other signals on said bridge as the Light-House Board shall prescribe.
Sec. 4. That the right to alter, amend, or repeal this Act is herebyAmendment etc. expressly reserved, and the right to require any change in the structure, or its entire removal, at the expense of the owners thereof, whenever Congress decades that the public interest requires it, is also expressly reserved. Approved, March 2, 1895.