Chapter 283. To authorize the construction of a wagon and foot bridge across the Chattahoochee River at or near the town of Columbia, Alabama
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CHAP. 283.— An Act To authorize the construction of a wagon and foot bridge across the Chattahoochee River at or near the town of Columbia, Alabama.August 13, 1894. *Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled*,Columbia Bridge Company may bridge Chattahoochee River, Columbia, Ala. That the Columbia Bridge Company, a corporation created by or under the laws of the State of Alabama, its successors or assignees, be, and is hereby, authorized to construct, maintain, and operate a bridge, for the passage of vehicles of all kinds, animals, and foot passengers, across the Chattahoochee River at or near the town of Columbia so as to connect with Georgia *Proviso*.Construction.on the opposite shore; *Provided*, That any bridge built under the provisions of this Act may be built as a drawbridge, or with unbroken and High bridge.continuous spans: *Provided also*, That if said bridge shall be built with unbroken and continuous spans, it shall give a clear headroom of not less than fifty-five feet above high-water mark as the same shall be fixed and determined by the Secretary of War: *And provided also*, Draw bridge.That if said bridge shall be constructed as a drawbridge, the same shall be constructed as a pivot drawbridge, with a draw over the main channel of the river at an accessible and the best navigable point, and with 281 drawspans giving a clear width of waterway of not less than one hundred feet on each side of the pivot pier; and said draw shall be opened promptly, upon reasonable signal, for the. passage of boats: *Provided further*, That whatever kind of bridge is constructed theLights, etc owners thereof shall maintain thereon, at their own expense, from sunset to sunrise, such lights or other signals as may be prescribed by the Light-House Board.
Sec. 2. That any bridge built under the provisions of this Act shallLawful structure and post route. be a lawful structure, and shall be recognized and known as a post-route, upon which no higher charge shall be made for the transmission over the same of the mails, troops, and munitions of war of the United States passing over said bridge than the rate per mile paid for the transportation over the public highways leading to said bridge, and equal privileges in the use of said bridge shall be granted to all telegraph and telephone companies; and the United States shall have thePostal telegraph. right of way across said bridge and approaches for postal-telegraph purposes; and said bridge shall be so constructed and operated as notFree navigation. to interfere with the navigation of said river.
Sec. 3. That said bridge company shall have the right to charge andToll. collect a reasonable rate of toll, to be approved by the Secretary of War, not exceeding the rate limited by the law of Alabama. Sec. 4. That the bridge authorized to be constructed under this ActSecretary of War to approve plans, etc. 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 maybe required for a lull 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 constructionChanges. such change shall be subject to the approval of the Secretary’ of War.
Sec. 5. That this Act shall be null and void if actual constructionCommencement and completion.of the bridge herein authorized be not commenced within one year and completed within three years from the date of approval hereof. Sec. 6. That Congress hereby expressly reserves the right to alter,Amendment, etc. amend, or repeal this Act. Approved, August 13, 1894.