Chapter 371. To authorize the construction of a bridge across the Monongahela River at Morgantown, in the State of West Virginia
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CHAP. 371.— An Act To authorize the construction of a bridge across the Monongahela River at Morgantown, in the State of West Virginia. March 2, 1899. *Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, * Monongalia County may bridge Monongahela River, at Morgantown, W. Va. That the assent of the United States of America is hereby given to the county court of Monongalia County, West Virginia, a corporation under the laws of said State, to construct and maintain a bridge over the Monongahela River at Morgantown, in said State.
Sec. 2. Aids to navigation. That the bridge shall be so constructed that a free and unobstructed passage may be secured to all vessels and other water Secretary of War to approve plans, etc.craft navigating said river; and any bridge constructed under this Act shall be located and built under and subject to such regulations for the securing of navigation of said river as the Secretary of War shall prescribe; and to secure that object the said county court shall submit to the Secretary of War, for his examination and approval, the designs and drawings of the bridge, piers, and approaches, and a map of the location, giving, for the space of at least 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, and the direction and strength of the current at all stages, and the soundings, accurately showing the bed of the stream, and the location of other bridge or bridges, wharfs, landings, or ferries, and shall furnish such other information as shall be required for a full and satisfactory understanding of the subject; and until said plan and location of the bridge are approved by the Changes.Secretary of War the bridge shall not be commenced or built; and after such approval by the Secretary of War the approved plans and designs for the bridge shall not be deviated from or added to, either FIFTY-FIFTH CONGRESS.
Sess. III. Chs. 371–373. 1899. 989 during the construction or after the completion of the bridge, until the proposed change shall have been submitted to the Secretary of War and received his approval; and the said bridge shall be at all times so kept and managed as to offer reasonable and proper means for the passage of vessels under said bridge; and if at any time the navigation of said river shall in any manner be obstructed or impaired by the bridge authorized by this Act to be constructed, the Secretary of War shall have authority, and it shall be his duty, to require said company to alter and change said bridge at its own expense in such manner as may be proper to secure free and complete navigation without impediment.
Sec. 3. That any bridge built under this Act and subject to its limitationsLawful structure and post route. shall be a lawful structure and shall be recognized and known as a post route, upon which also no higher charge shall be made for the transmission over the same of the mail, the troops and munitions of war of the United States than the rate per mile paid for the transportation over the public highways leading to said bridge, and it shall enjoy the rights and privileges of other post roads of the United States; and equal privileges in the use of said bridge shall be granted to allTelegraph, etc. companies. telegraph and telephone companies, and the United States shall have the right of way across said bridge and its approaches for said postal-telegraph purposes.
Sec. 4. 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 hereof. Sec. 5. That the right to alter, amend, or repeal this Act is herebyAmendment. expressly reserved. Approved, March 2, 1899.