Chapter 312. To authorize the construction of a bridge across the Contentuea Creek at Grifton, Lenoir County, North Carolina, and to establish it as a post road
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CHAP. 312.— An Act To authorize the construction of a bridge across the Contentuea Creek at Grifton, Lenoir County, North Carolina, and to establish it as a post road.August 23, 1894. *Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled*,Wilmington anti Weldon Railroad Company may bridge Conand tontnea Creek, Grifton, N. C. That it shall be lawful for the Kinston Branch of the Wilmington and Weldon Railroad Company, a corporation organized under the laws of the State of North Carolina, or its successors or assigns, to.construet a bridge across the Contentnea Creek, at or near the town of Grifton, in the county of Lenoir and State of North Carolina; that said bridge may be constructed for railway,Railway and wagon bridge. wagon, and postal service, with single or double track, for railway 490 traffic, and shall be constructed under the conditions and limitations hereinafter specified.
Sec. 2. Free navigation. That said bridge shall not interfere with the free navigation of said river beyond what may be necessary to carry into effect the rights and privileges herein granted, and in ease of any litigation Litigation.arising 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. Draw. That the bridge hereby authorized to be constructed must be constructed with a draw of such dimensions and character as shall be prescribed by the Secretary of War.
Sec. 4. Lawful structure and post route. That any bridge constructed under this Act shall be a lawful structure, and shall be known as 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 and telephone companies.
The United States Postal telegraph.shall also have the right of way over said bridge for postal-telegraph purposes. Sec. 5. Use by other companies. That all railway companies desiring to use said bridge shall be entitled to equal rights and privileges in using the same, including the machinery-and fixtures thereto belonging, and also the approaches Terms.thereto, upon such terms and conditions as shall be prescribed by the Secretary’ of War upon hearing the allegations and proofs of the parties in interest, in ease they shall not be able to agree upon such terms and conditions.
Sec. 6. Secretary of War to approve plans, etc. That the said railway company, before entering upon the 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, giving the topography of the banks of the river, the shore lines at high and low water, showing 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 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 Alterations.of War may direct such alterations in such plans as he may deem necessary to the better protection of navigation, and such alterations shall be adopted by the said railway-company. 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 authorized or made. Sec. 7. Aids to navigation.
That the, said bridge herein authorized to be constructed shall be so kept and managed at. all times as to afford proper ways and means for the passage, of vessels, barges, or rafts under it both by day and night. There shall be displayed on said bridge from sunset to Lights, etc.sunrise such lights and signals as may be directed by the Light-House 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 railway, 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. Commencement and completion. *Post*, p. 597. That this Act shall be null and void if actual construction of the bridge herein authorized be not commenced within thirty days and completed within ninety days from the date of the approval of this Act. Sec. 9. Amendment, etc. That the right to alter, amend, or repeal this Act is hereby specially reserved. Approved, August 23, 1894.