Chapter 364. To authorize Jefferson County, Arkansas, to construct and maintain a free bridge across the Arkansas River within five miles of Pine Bluff Jefferson County, Arkansas
691 words·~3 min read·
/statutes-at-large/vol-31/chapter-364-3370604·A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
CHAP. 364.— An Act To authorize Jefferson County, Arkansas, to construct and maintain a free bridge across the Arkansas River within five miles of Pine Bluff Jefferson County, Arkansas. February 12, 1901. *Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled*, Jefferson County, Ark., may bridge Arkansas River, Ark. That the county of Jefferson, in the State of Arkansas, be, and is hereby, authorized to construct and maintain a road bridge for the free passage of wagons, vehicles, and pedestrians across the Arkansas River at such point as may be selected by such county and approved by the Secretary of War, within the boundary lines of Jefferson County, Arkansas, and within five miles of—location, etc. the city of Pine Bluff, in said county, said bridge to be so constructed as not to obstruct the navigation of said river and to be provided with a suitable draw: *Provided,* That any bridge constructed under this*Proviso*.Lawful structure and post route.
Act and according to its limitations shall be a lawful structure, and shall be known and recognized as a post route, upon which, also, no higher charge shall be made for the transportation over the same of the mail, the troops, and munitions of war of the United States than the rate per mile paid for transportation over railroads or public highways leading to the said bridge; and the United States shall have thePostal telegraph. right of way for a postal telegraph across said bridge. 789 Sec. 2.
That the bridge authorized to be constructed under this ActSecretary of War to approve plans, etc. shall be located and built under and subject to such regulations for the security of the navigation of said river as the Secretary of War shall prescribe; and the said county shall submit 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 distance of one mile above and one-half mile 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, and the soundings, accurately showing the bed of the stream, and shall furnish such other information as may be required for a full and satisfactory understanding of the subject; and until the said plan and location of the bridge are approved by the Secretary of War no work upon the bridge shall be commenced; and should any change be made in the plan of said bridge—changes. during the progress of construction, or after completion, such change shall be subject to the approval of the Secretary of War.
Sec. 3. That Congress reserves the right to alter, amend, or repealAmendment.Alterations, etc. this Act at any time; and if at any time navigation of said river shall in any manner be obstructed or impaired by the said bridge, the Secretary of War shall have authority, and it shall be his duty, to require the said county to alter and change the said bridge, at its own expense, in such manner as may be proper to secure free and complete navigation without impediment; and he may require the said county to build and maintain, at its own expense, such dikes, wing dams, booms, or other works, as in his opinion may be necessary to maintain the channel of the river within the draw spans of the bridge.
Sec. 4. That the draw provided for the bridge herein authorized toDraw. be constructed shall be opened promptly, upon reasonable signal, for the passing of boats, which said county snail maintain at its own expense; and the said county shall maintain on said bridge from sunsetLights. to sunrise, at its own expense, such lights or other signals as the Light-House Board may prescribe: and if actual construction of the bridgeCommencement and completion. herein authorized shall not be commenced within one year from the passage of this Act and be completed within three years from same date, the rights and privileges hereby granted shall cease and be determined.
Approved, February 12, 1901.