Chapter 317. To authorize the construction of a bridge over the Monongahela River from the city of McKeesport to the township of Mifflin, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania
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CHAP. 317.— An Act To authorize the construction of a bridge over the Monongahela River from the city of McKeesport to the township of Mifflin, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. February 25, 1897. *Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled*, That the Mifflin Bridge Company,Mifflin Bridge Company may bridge Monongahe River, McKeesport, Pa. a corporation duly organized under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, its successors, lessees, and assigns, be, and are hereby, authorized and empowered to construct, maintain, and operated bridge over the Monongahela River from a point in the city of McKeesport, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, between Market and Walnut streets, to a point on the opposite side of said river on the property of the heirs of Colonel William Neal, in Mifflin Township, said county.
Sec. 2. That said bridge may be constructed to provide for the passageStreet railway, etc., bridge. of street cars, wagons, and vehicles of all kinds, and for the transit of animals, foot passengers, and of commercial travel and communication, and the said corporation may charge and receive reasonable tolls therefor, to be approved by the Secretary of War: *Provided*, That any street-car*Proviso*.Use by street railway companies. companies desiring the use of said bridge shall have and be entitled to equal privileges in the passage of cars over the same, and over the approaches thereto, upon the payment of a reasonable compensation for such use, and in case of disagreement as to the terms and conditions of such use all matters at issue shall be determined by the Secretary of War upon proper hearing of the proofs and allegations. 596 Sec. 3.
Lawful structure and post route.That any bridge built under this Act and subject to its limitations shall be a lawful structure and shall be recognized and known as a post route, and it shall enjoy the rights and privileges of other *Provisos*.Postal telegraph.post roads in the United States: *Provided*, That the United States may construct a postal telegraph over said bridge without charge therefor: Submission of plans.*And provided also*, That the said Mifflin Bridge Company shall not commence the construction of its bridge, bridge piers, abutments, causeways, and other works over or in said Monongahela River until the location and plan of same shall have been submitted to and approved by the Secretary of War.
Sec. 4. Secretary of War to approve plans, etc.That any bridge authorized to be constructed under this Act 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 said 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-half mile above and one-half mile below the proposed location the high and low water lines upon the banks of the river, the direction and strength of the currents at high and low water, with the soundings accurately showing the bed of the stream and the location of any other bridge or bridges, such map to be sufficiently in detail to enable the Secretary of War to judge of the proper location of said bridge, and shall furnish such other information as may be required for the full and satisfactory understanding of the subject.
And until the said plan and location of the bridge are approved by the Secretary of War the bridge shall not be commenced Changes.or built. And should any change be made in the plan of said bridge during the progress of its construction, such change shall be submitted *Proviso*.Channel span.for the approval of the Secretary of War: *Provided*, That the channel span of said bridge shall not be less than five hundred feet in length in the clear, and the clear height of the superstructure shall not be less than fifty-three feet above the level of the water at pool full in said river.
Sec. 5. Aids to navigation.That said bridge herein authorized to be constructed shall be so kept and managed at all times as to afford proper means and ways for the passage of vessels, barges, or rafts, both by day and by night. Lights, etc.And there shall be displayed on said bridge, by the owners thereof, from sunset to sunrise, such lights and other signals as the Light Changes.House Board may prescribe. And such changes shall be made from time to time in the construction of said bridge as the Secretary of War may direct, at the expense of said bridge company, in order the more effectually to preserve the free navigation of said river.
Sec. 6. Commencement and completion.That this Act shall be null and void if actual construction of the bridge herein authorized be not commenced within one year and completed within three years from the date of the approval of this Act. Sec. 7. Amendment, etc.That the right to alter, amend, or repeal this Act is hereby expressly reserved. Approved, February 25, 1897.