Chapter 345. To authorize the construction of a bridge across the Saint Croix River between Wisconsin and Minnesota
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CHAP. 345.— An Act To authorize the construction of a bridge across the Saint Croix River between Wisconsin and Minnesota.August 27, 1894. *Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled*,Osceola, Wis.. may bridge Saint Croix River. That the village of Osceola, Polk County, in the State of Wisconsin, a municipal corporation existing under the laws of the State of Wisconsin, is hereby authorized and empowered to erect, establish, and maintain, or authorize the erection, Wagon and foot bridge.establishment, and maintenance of a foot and wagon bridge across the Saint Croix River at a point suitable to the interests of navigation, from a point in section twenty-seven, township thirty three, range nineteen west, in Polk County, Wisconsin, so as to connect with the opposite shore of said river in the State of Minnesota; that said bridge Free navigation.shall not interfere with the free navigation of said river beyond what is necessary in order to carry into effect the rights and privileges hereby Litigation.granted, and in case of any litigation arising from any obstruction or alleged obstruction to the free navigation of said river the cause may be tried before the circuit court of the United States in and for any district in which any portion of said bridge or obstruction is located.
Said bridge shall be constructed to provide for the passage of wagons and vehicles of all kinds, for the transit of animals, and for foot Toll.passengers, for such reasonable rates of toll as may be fixed by the said village of Osceola from time to time and approved by the Secretary of War. Sec. 2. That the bridge under this Act shall be constructed as aDrawbridge. pivot drawbridge, with the draw over the main channel of the river at an accessible and navigable point, and with a low-water span.of not less than one hundred and ten feet in length in the clear on each side of the central or pivot pier of the draw, measured at right angles to *Proviso*.
Opening draw.the axis of the channel: *Provided*, That the said draw shall be opened promptly on reasonable signal for the passage of boats, vessels, and other water craft, whose construction shall be such as not to admit of their passage under said bridge. Sec. 3. That any bridge constructed under this Act and accordingLawful structure. to its provisions and conditions shall be a lawful structure, over which may be transmitted the mails, troops, and munitions of war of the United States free of charge; and the United States shall have the Postal telegraph.right of way for postal-telegraph purposes across said bridge. 507 Sec. 4.
That the structure herein authorized shall be built andSecretary of War to approve plane, etc. located 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 corporation named 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 one 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 current, and the soundings, accurately showing the bed of the stream, and shall furnish such other information as shall be required for a full and satisfactory understanding of the subject; and until the said plans and location of the bridge are decided by the Secretary of War to be such as will not materially affect the interest of navigation the bridge shall not be commenced or built; and should any change be made in the plan of said bridge during theChanges. progress of construction such change shall be subject to the approval of the Secretary of War; and the said structure shall at all times be so kept and managed as to offer reasonable and proper means for the passage of vessels through or under said structure; and for the safety of vessels passing at night there shall be displayed on said bridge, from the hours of sunset to sunrise, such lights as may be prescribed by theLights.
Light-House Board; and the said structure shall be changed or removed, at the cost and expense of the owners thereof, from time to time, as Congress may direct, so as to preserve the free and convenient navigation of said river; and the authority to erect and continue said bridge shall be subject to revocation and modification bylaw when the public good shall, in the .judgment of Congress, so require, without any expense or charge to the United States. Sec. 5. That the right to alter, amend, or repeal this Act is herebyAmendment, etc. expressly reserved.
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 thereof. Approved, August 27, 1894.