Chapter 87. To authorize the construction of certain bridges over the waters of Lake Champlain
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CHAP. 87.— An Act To authorize the construction of certain bridges over the waters of Lake Champlain. February 4, 1899. *Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, * That the Rutland-CanadianRutland-Canadian Railroad may bridge Lake Champlain. Railroad Company, a corporation created by and existing under the laws of the State of Vermont, its successors and assigns, be, and they are hereby, authorized and empowered to erect, establish, maintain, and use railroad bridges and approaches thereto in and across Lake Champlain at such places, hereinafter provided, as may be selected by said parties, and approved by the Secretary of War, to wit:
A bridgeLocation of bridges. and its approaches between the town of Colchester, in the county of Chittenden and State of Vermont, and the town of South Hero, in the county of Grand Isle and State of Vermont; also a bridge and its approaches between the towns of Grand Isle and North Hero, in said county of Grand Isle; also a bridge and its approaches between the towns of North Hero and Alburg, in said county of Grand Isle; also a bridge and its approaches between said town of Alburg and the town of Champlain, in the county of Clinton, in the State of New York; and also an embankment across the head of Keelers Bay, so called, in said Lake Champlain, upon the easterly side of said town of South Hero.
Sec. 2. That each of said bridges shall be provided with a draw suitableAids to navigation. to accommodate the navigation on Lake Champlain, and shall be built in such manner as not to interfere with the free navigation of said lake; and in case of any litigation arising from any obstruction orLitigation. alleged obstruction to the free navigation of said lake the cause may be tried before the circuit court of the United States in and for any district in which the portion of the structure causing or alleged to cause such obstruction is situated.
Sec. 3. That, all the bridges, approaches, or embankments constructedLawful structures and post routes. under this Act and according to the conditions and provisions hereof shall be lawful structures, and shall be known and recognized as post routes, and the same are hereby declared to be post routes, upon which, also, no higher charge shall be made for the transmission over the same of the mails, the troops, and the munitions of war of the United States than the rate per mile paid for the transportation over the railroads leading to said bridges; and they shall enjoy the same rights and privileges as other post routes in the United States.
Sec. 4. That the structures herein authorized shall be built underSecretary of War to approve plans, etc. and subject to such regulations for the security of navigation on said lake as the Secretary of War may prescribe; and to secure that object 816 FIFTY-FIFTH CONGRESS. Sess. III. Chs. 87, 88. 1899. said company shall submit to the Secretary of War for his examination and approval general designs and drawings of said bridges and embankments and a map of their location, giving, for the space of one mile above and one mile below the proposed location, the topography of the banks of the lake, the direction of the current, the soundings showing the bed of the lake, and the location of any bridge or bridges or other structures within such distance, and shall furnish such other information as may be required for a full and satisfactory understanding of the subject; and until such plans are approved by the Secretary of War —changes.the construction of the bridges and embankments shall not be commenced, and if any change is made in the plan of any of said structures during the progress of construction or after completion such change shall be subject to the approval of the Secretary of War, and be made at the expense of the owners of said structure.
Sec. 5. Draws. That the draws of said bridges shall be opened upon reasonableLights. signal, for the passage of boats; and such lights or other signals shall, at the expense of said company, its successors and assigns, be maintained on all of said structures, from sunset to sunrise, as the Light-House Board shall prescribe, and said company, its successors Toll.and assigns, may establish reasonable rates of toll for transportation *Proviso.*—approval.of persons and property over said structures: *Provided,* That such rates of toll shall be subject to the approval of the Secretary of War.
Sec. 6. Commencement and completion. That this Act shall be null and void, except as to structures completed, if actual construction of the bridges herein authorized be not commenced within two years and completed within four years from the passage of this Act. Sec. 7. Amendment. That the right to alter, amend, or repeal this Act is hereby expressly reserved. Approved, February 4, 1899.