Chapter 34. Authorizing the construction of a bridge across the Mississippi River at Dubuque, Iowa
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/statutes-at-large/vol-31/chapter-34-409123·A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
CHAP. 34.— An Act Authorizing the construction of a bridge across the Mississippi River at Dubuque, Iowa. March 6, 1900. *Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled*, That the Dubuque and Wisconsin Dubuque and Wisconsin Bridge Company may bridge Mississippi River at Dubuque. Bridge Company, a corporation duly incorporated under the laws of the State of Iowa, its successors and assigns, be, and is hereby, authorized to construct and maintain, at a point suitable to the interests of navigation, a bridge for the passage of vehicles of all kinds, animals, and foot passengers across the Mississippi River from a point at or near Eagle Point, in the city of Dubuque, in the State of Iowa, to the opposite shore of said river in the county of Grant, in the State of Wisconsin; that said bridge shall not be built within two miles of any other bridge on said river following the course of the main channel; that the location and plan or manner of constructing said bridge Secretary of War to approve plans, etc. shall be subject to the approval of the Secretary of War, and until decided by him to be such as will not materially affect the interests of navigation the said bridge shall not be built; and there shall be submitted to the Secretary of War for his examination and approval a design and drawing of the proposed bridge and a map of the location, giving, for the space of a mile above and below the proposed location, the topography of the banks of the river, the shore line at high and low water, the direction and strength of the currents at all stages, and the soundings, accurately showing the bed of the stream, the location of any other bridge, and all other information required, and should any change be made in the plan of said bridge during the progress of construction such change shall be subject to the approval of the Secretary of War, and the said structure shall at all times be so kept Aids to navigation. and managed and be provided with such guard fences, sheer booms, and other structures as to offer reasonable and proper means for the passage of vessels and other floating craft through or under said structure; and for the safety of vessels passing at night there shall be displayed Lights, etc. on said bridge from the hours of sunset to sunrise such lights as may be prescribed by the Light-House Board; and the said structure shall be changed at the cost and the expense of the owners thereof, from time to time, as the Secretary of War may direct, so as to preserve the free and convenient navigation of said river.
Sec. 2. That said bridge between the Iowa shore and the lowlands Spans. or islands on the Wisconsin side of the river shall be constructed with 42 unbroken and continuous spans, and the main span shall be over the main navigable channel of the river, and shall give a clear width of waterway not less than three hundred and fifty feet, and shall give clear headroom the full length of said span of not less in any case than fifty-five feet above extreme high water mark, as understood at the point of location.
The remaining spans shall each give a clear width of waterway of not less than two hundred feet, and a clear headroom of not less in any case than ten feet between extreme high water mark and the lower chords of the superstructure. Said bridge shall be constructed at right angles to, and its piers parallel with, the current of the river. Sec. 3. Toll. That said Dubuque and Wisconsin Bridge Company shall have the right to charge and collect a reasonable rate of toll for the passage across said bridge of vehicles, animals, and foot passengers, and travelers, subject to approval by the Secretary of War.
Sec. 4. Commencement and completion. That this Act shall be null and void if actual construction of the bridge herein authorized be not commenced within eighteen months, and completed within three years from the. date of the passage hereof. Sec. 5. To be lawful structure and post route. That the bridge built under this Act and subject to its limitations shall be a lawful structure, and shall be known and recognized as a post route, and it shall enjoy the rights and privileges of other Telegraph, etc., companies. 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 postal telegraph purposes.
Sec. 6. Amendment. That the right to alter, amend, or repeal this Act is hereby expressly reserved. Approved, March 6, 1900.