Chapter 76. To authorize the construction of abridge across the Mississippi River at Red Wing, Minnesota
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CHAP. 76.— An Act To authorize the construction of abridge across the Mississippi River at Red Wing, Minnesota.May 12, 1894. *Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled*,Red Wing, Minn., may bridge Mississippi River. That the city of Red Wing, in the State of Minnesota, a municipal corporation existing under the laws of the State of Minnesota, is hereby authorized and empowered to erect, establish, and maintain, or authorize the erection, establishment,Foot and wagon bridge. and maintenance of a foot and wagon bridge across the Mississippi River at a point suitable to the interests of navigation, from a point near Bluff street, in the city of Red Wing, State of Minnesota, so as to connect with the opposite shore of said river in the State of Free navigation.Wisconsin; that said bridge shall not interfere with the free navigation of said river beyond what is necessary in order to carry into effect 77 the rights and privileges hereby 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 touches.
Said bridge shall be constructed toToll. provide for the passage of wagons and vehicles of all kinds, tor the transit of animals, and for foot passengers, for such reasonable rates of toll as may be fixed by the said city of Red Wing from time to time and approved by the Secretary of War. Sec. 2. That any bridge built under the provisions of this Act shallHigh bridge. be constructed as a high bridge, with a channel span giving a clear width of waterway of not less than three hundred and eighty feet and a clear headroom of not less than fifty-five feet above high-water mark, as understood at the point of location, and the clear headroom under other than channel spans maybe reduced to ten feet above high-water mark: and the piers of said bridge shall be parallel with the current of the river.
Sec. 3. That any bridge constructed under this Act and accordingLawful structure and post route. to its provisions and conditions shall be a lawful structure, over which may He transmitted the mails, troops, and munitions of war of the United States free of charge; and the United States shall have thePostal telegraph. right of way for postal-telegraph purposes across said bridge. Sec. 4. That the structure herein authorized shall be built andSecretary of War to approve plans, 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 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, the location of any other bridge or bridges, 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 the progress of construction such changeChanges. 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 tor 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 the Light-House Board;Light, etc. 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 by law 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 two years and completed within four years from the date thereof. Approved, May 12, 1894.