Chapter 91. To authorize the Union Railroad Company to construct and maintain a bridge across the Monongahela River
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CHAP. 91.— An Act To authorize the Union Railroad Company to construct and maintain a bridge across the Monongahela River. January 26, 1897. *Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled*, That the Union Railroad Company, Union Railroad Company may bridge Monongahela River, Allegheny County, Pa. Vol. 27, p. 462.a corporation existing under the laws of the State of Pennsylvania, is hereby authorized to construct, maintain, and operate a railroad bridge, with single or double track, for railroad traffic across the Monongahela River within the limits of Allegheny County, State of Pennsylvania, the southerly end of said bridge to be located at some Legas structure, etc.Point in Mifflin Township, in said county.
The said bridge, when build in accordance with the requirements of this Act, shall be a legal structure, and may be used for railroad and highway purposes. Secretary of War to approve plans, etc. Sec. 2. That the bridge authorized to be constructed under this Act shall be located and built 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 the railroad company 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 below the proposed location the depth and currents at all points of the same and the location of any other bridge or bridges, together with all other information touching said bridge and river as may be deemed requisite by the Secretary of War to determine whether said bridge when built will conform to the provisions of this Act and cause any serious obstruction to the navigation of the river or injuriously affect the flow of water.
Notification of approval. Sec. 3. That the Secretary of War is hereby authorized and directed, upon receiving said plan and map, and upon being satisfied that a bridge built on such a plan and at said locality will conform to the provisions of this Act and cause no serious obstruction to the navigation of the river or injuriously affect the flow of water, to notify the said company that he approves the same, and upon receiving such notification the said company may proceed to the erection of said bridge, conforming strictly to the approved plan and location.
But until the Secretary of War shall approve the plan and location of the said bridge, and notify the said company of the same in writing, the bridge shall not be built Changes, etc.or commenced; and should any change be made in the plan of the bridge during the progress of the work thereon, such change shall be subject likewise to the approval of the Secretary of War. Railroad, etc., bridge. Sec. 4. That said bridge shall be constructed to provide for the passage of railroad trains, and, at the option of the corporation by which it may be built, may be used for the passage of wagons and vehicles of all kinds, for the transit of animals, and for foot passengers, for such Toll. *Proviso.* Use by other companies.Reasonable rates of toll as may be approved from time to time by the Secretary of War: *Provided,* That all railroad companies desiring the use of the bridge authorized by this Act shall have and be entitled to equal rights and privileges relative to the passage of trains or cars over 497the same and over the approaches thereto upon the payment of a reasonable compensation for such use; and in case the owner or owners of Compensation.such bridge and the several companies, or any one of them, desiring such use shall fail to agree upon the sum or sums to be paid, and upon rules and conditions to which each shall conform in using said bridge, all matters at issue between them shall be decided by the Secretary of War upon a bearing of the allegations and proofs of the parties; and equal privileges in the use of said bridge shall be granted to all telegraph and telephone companies.
Sec. 5. That any bridge constructed under this Act shall be a lawful Lawful structure and post route.structure and shall be known as a post road, over which no higher charge shall be made for the transportation of mails, troops, and munitions of war, or other property of the Government of the United States, or for passengers or freight passing over the same, than the rate per mile charged for their transportation over the railways or public highways leading to said bridge. The United States shall also have the right of Postal telegraph.way over said bridge for postal-telegraph purposes.
Sec. 6. That said bridge herein authorized to be constructed shall be Aids to navigation.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; and there shall be displayed on said bridge by the owners thereof, from sunset to sunrise, such lights or other signals as the Light-House Board Lights, etc.may prescribe; and such changes shall be made from time to time in the structure of said bridge as the Secretary of War may direct, at the expense of the said company, in order the more effectually to preserve the free navigation of said river.
Sec. 7. That this Act shall be null and void unless the construction Commencement and completion.of said bridge shall be commenced within one year and completed within three years from the passage of this Act. Sec. 8. That Congress shall have power at any time to alter, amend, Amendment, etc.or repeal this Act. Approved, January 26, 1897.