Chapter 82. To authorize the construction of a bridge across the Savannah River from the mainland of Chatham County, Georgia, to Hutchinsons Island, in said county
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CHAP. 82.— An Act To authorize the construction of a bridge across the Savannah River from the mainland of Chatham County, Georgia, to Hutchinsons Island, in said county. February 2, 1899. *Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, * That the assent of the UnitedGeorgia and Alabama Railway may bridge Savannah River. States of America is hereby given to the Georgia and Alabama Railway, a corporation incorporated by the laws of the State of Georgia, its successors and assigns, and such other persons as may be associated with it, to construct and maintain a bridge over the Savannah River from the mainland to Hutchinsons Island, in the county of Chatham, in the State of Georgia.
Sec. 2. That the bridge shall be so constructed, by draw span orAids to navigation. otherwise, that a free and unobstructed passage may be secured to all vessels and other water craft navigating said river. That any bridgeSecretary of War to prescribe regulations.s constructed under this Act shall be built and 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—to approve plans. said company shall submit to the Secretary of War, for his examination and approval, the design 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 water and low water, and the direction and strength of the currents at all stages, and the soundings, accurately showing the bed of the stream, and the location of—changes. other bridge or bridges, wharves, 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 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 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 through or under said bridge, and if said bridge be built with a draw said draw shall be openedDraw. promptly upon reasonable signal for the passage of boats or other craft, and whatever kind of bridge is built the said company or corporationLights. shall maintain, at its own expense, from sunset to sunrise, such lights or other signals thereon as the Light-House Board shall prescribe; and if at anytime the navigation of said river shall in anyAlterations to secure free navigation. 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. 814 FIFTY-FIFTH CONGRESS.
Sess. III. Chs. 82–84. 1899. 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, upon which also no higher charge shall be made for the transmission over the same of the mails, the troops, and munitions of war of the United States, or passengers or freight over said bridge, than the rate per mile paid for the transportation over the railroads or public highways leading to said bridge, and it shall enjoy the rights Telegraph and telephone companies.and privileges of other post roads of the United States; and equal privileges in the use of said bridge shall be granted to all 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. Rights of railroads to use. That all railroad companies desiring the use of said bridge and its approaches shall have and be entitled to equal rights and privileges relative to the passage of trains over the same upon payment of —disagreement of with owner of bridge.a reasonable compensation for such use; and in case the owner or owners of said bridge and the several railroad companies, or any of them, desiring such use shall fail to agree upon the sum or sums to be paid, or upon rules and conditions to which each shall conform in using aid bridge and approaches, all matters at issue between them shall be decided by the Secretary of War upon a hearing of the allegations and proofs of the parties.
Sec. 5. 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 hereof. Sec. 6. Amendment. That the right to alter, amend, or repeal this Act is hereby expressly reserved. Approved, February 2, 1899.