Chapter 33. To authorize the construction of a bridge over the Arkansas River at or near Van Buren, Arkansas
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/statutes-at-large/vol-28/chapter-33-175402·A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
CHAP. 33.— An Act To authorize the construction of a bridge over the Arkansas River at or near Van Buren, Arkansas.March 9, 1894. *Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled*,Fort Smith and Van Buren Railway Company may bridge Arkansas River at Van Buren, Ark. That the Fort Smith and Van Buren Railway Company, a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Arkansas and being empowered by the terms of its charter to construct its railway from a point on the northern limits of the city of Fort Smith, Arkansas, to Van Buren, Arkansas, the construction and operation of said line of railway involving the construction of a bridge across the Arkansas River at a point at or near the city of Van Buren, be, and the said Fort Smith and Van Buren Railway Company, its successors and assigns, are hereby, authorized and empowered to construct said bridge across said river, and to maintain and operate the same as a railway, passenger, andRailway, wagon, and foot bridge. wagon bridge.
Sec. 2. That any bridge authorized to he constructed under thisSecretary of War to approve plans, etc. Act, whether constructed as a high bridge or a drawbridge, 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 prescribe; and to secure that object said company or corporation shall submit to the Secretary of War a design and drawing of said bridge to be erected for his examination and approval, and a map of its location, and shall furnish such other information as may be required for a full and satisfactory understanding of the subject; and until said plan and location of said bridge are approved by the Secretary of War said bridge shall not be commenced or built; and should any change be made in theChanges. plan of any bridge authorized to be constructed by this Act during the progress of the work of construction, such change shall be subject to the approval of the Secretary of War: *Provided*, That if the bridge*Proviso*.Draw. herein authorized be built as a drawbridge, the draw shall be opened promptly upon reasonable signal for the passage of boats; and whatever kind of bridge is built, the said company shall maintain thereon, from sunset to sunrise, such lights or other signals as the Light-HouseLights, etc.Use by other rail way companies.
Board shall prescribe. That all railway companies desiring to use said bridge shall have and be entitled to equal rights and privileges in the passage of the same, and in the use of the machinery and fixtures thereof, and of all approaches thereto, under and upon such terms andTerms. conditions as shall be prescribed by the Secretary of War upon hearing the allegations and proofs of the parties, in case they shall not agree. Sec. 3. That any bridge built under this Act and subject to itsLawful structure and post route. limitations shall be a lawful structure and shall be recognized and known as a post route, upon which no higher charge shall be made for transmission over the same of the mails, the troops, and the munitions of war of the United States than the rate per mile paid for the transportation over t lie rail road or public highways leading to the said bridge; 40 and it shall enjoy the rights and privileges of other post roads of the United States.
Sec. 4. That the rates of toll which shall be charged for vehicles andToll. foot passengers over said bridge shall be the same as those now established for like service by the laws of Arkansas as expressed in section five thousand five hundred and forty-six of Mansfield’s Digest thereof, eighteen hundred and eighty four, page ten hundred and sixty-eight. Sec. 5. That, the right to alter, amend, or repeal this Act, or anyAmendment, etc. part thereof, whenever Congress shall consider it necessary for the public interest, is hereby expressly reserved, and any expenditure required by reason of such legislation by Congress shall be made by the owners of said bridge or the corporation or parties controlling and using the same, without cost or damage to the United States.
Sec. 6. 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 of this Act. Approved, March 9, 1894.