Chapter 78. To authorize the construction of a bridge across the Tennessee River at Knoxville, Tennessee
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CHAP. 78.— An Act To authorize the construction of a bridge across the Tennessee River at Knoxville, Tennessee.March 28, 1896. *Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,*Knox County, Tenn., may bridge Tennessee River, Knoxville, Tenn. That the county of Knox, in the State of Tennessee, in its corporate capacity, and either alone or in conjunction with the city of Knoxville, Tennessee, as said county may elect, is hereby authorized and empowered to construct and maintain a bridge over and across the Tennessee River, at or near the site, and in lieu of the present bridge over the said river at the city of Knoxville, so as to connect said city of Knoxville with the opposite or south bank of said river.
Sec. 2. That said bridge shall be so constructed that a reasonablyUnobstructed navigation. free and unobstructed passageway may be secured to ail water craft navigating said river at the point aforesaid: and if said bridge shall be constructed as a drawbridge the draw shall be opened promptly uponDrawbridge. reasonable signal for the passage of boats and vessels; and whatever kind of bridge is constructed the owners thereof shall maintain, at their own expense, from sunset to sunrise, such lights or other signals thereonLights, etc.*Proviso.*Use by street, etc., car companies. as the Light-House Board shall prescribe: *Provided,* That if said bridge be constructed to accommodate street-railway traffic, all street-car and electric-car companies desiring the use of said bridge shall have and be entitled to equal rights and privileges relative to 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 disagreementCompensation. between the owners of the bridge and the several electric and street car companies, or any of them desiring such use, in regard to the sum or sums to be paid, or the rules and conditions to be conformed to, all80FIFTY-FOURTH CONGRESS.
Sess. I. Chs. 78, 79, 82. 1896. matters at issue shall be decided by the Secretary of War upon the hearing of the allegations and proofs of the parties. Sec. 3. ThatSecretary of War to approve plans, etc. said bridge shall not be built or commenced until the plans and location of the same shall have been approved by the Secretary of War; and no change shall be made in its construction, and no alteration of it shall be made after its construction, unless such change or alteration shall in like manner receive the approval of the Secretary of War.
Sec. 4. ThatAuthority to begin work. the Secretary of War, upon receiving the design, drawings, and specifications of said bridge, and a map of the location, and such other information as he may call for, and upon being satisfied that the bridge when built according to such design and drawings will be in accordance with the requirements of this Act, and will not unreasonably obstruct the navigation of said river, be, and he is hereby, authorized and directed to approve said design, drawings, and specifications, and to so notify said county of Knox; and upon receiving such notification the said county of Knox may proceed to construct said bridge, conforming strictly to the approved design, drawings, and specifications.
Sec. 5. ThatLawful structure and post route. any bridge built under this Act, and according to its limitations, shall be a lawful structure, and shall be recognized and known as a post route upon which the mails, troops, and munitions of war of the United States shall be transmitted free of charge. Sec. 6. ThatAmendment, etc. the right is hereby expressly reserved to alter, amend, or repeal this Act. Sec. 7. ThatCommencement and completion. 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 hereof.
Approved, March 28, 1896. Chapter 79: For the reconstruction of the Rock Island bridge. 29 Stat. 80 1896-03-28 Chapter 79 United States Government Publishing Office text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. Digitization Vendor 2025-10-30 54 2 public
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Chapter 78
To authorize the construction of a bridge across the Tennessee River at Knoxville, Tennessee
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