Chapter 842. Authorizing the Texas and Pacific Railway Company to construct a bridge across Red River, Louisiana
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CHAP. 842.— An Act Authorizing the Texas and Pacific Railway Company to construct a bridge across Red River, Louisiana. March 3, 1901. *Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,* That the Texas and PacificTexas and Pacific Railway may bridge Red River at Turnbulls Island, La. Railway Company is hereby authorized and empowered to construct and maintain a bridge across the Red River, Louisiana, at a point suitable to the interests of navigation at or near Turnbulls Island, so as to connect its lines south of Red River with proposed lines on the opposite or north bank of said river.
Sec. 2. That said bridge shall be so constructed that a reasonable,Aids to navigation. free, and unobstructed passageway may be secured and maintained by proper draws to all water craft navigating said river at the point aforesaid. and that said draw or draws shall be opened promptly upon reasonable signal for the passage of boats and vessels. The owners thereofLights. shall maintain at their own expense from sunset to sunrise such lights or other signals thereon as the Light-House Board shall prescribe.
Sec. 3. That said bridge shall not be built or commenced until theSecretary of War to approve plans, etc. plans and location of the same shall have been submitted to and approved by the Secretary of War; that no change shall be made in this construction, and no alteration of it after its construction, unless such change, or alterations shall in like manner receive the approval of the Secretary of War: *Provided,* That if said bridge shall at any time,—changes. substantially or materially, obstruct the free navigation of said river, 1090or shall, in the opinion of the Secretary of War, obstruct such navigation. he is hereby authorized to cause such change or alteration of said bridge to be made as will effectually obviate such obstruction; and such alteration shall be made and all such obstructions be removed at the expense of the owner or owners of said bridge.
Sec. 4. —notification of approval, etc.That the Secretary of War upon receiving the designs, drawings, and specifications of said bridge, and a map of the location, and such other information as he may call for, and upon being satisfied that the bridge, when built according to such designs and drawings. will be in accordance with the requirements of this Act and will not unreasonably obstruct the navigation of said river, be, and is hereby, authorized and directed to approve said designs, drawings, and specifications, and to so notify the said railway company, and upon receipt of such notification the said railway company may proceed to construct said bridge, conforming strictly to the approved designs, drawings, and specifications.
Sec. 5. Commencement and completion.This Act shall be null and void if the actual construction of the bridge herein authorized be not commenced within one year from the date of approval of this Act, and so forth, and completed within three years from the date thereafter. Sec. 6. Lawful structure and post route.That said 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 than the rate per mile paid for the transportation over the railroad or public highways leading to the said bridge, and shall enjoy the rights and privileges of other post roads Telegraph, etc., companies.in 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 and telephone purposes.
Sec. 7. Rights of railroads to use.That all railroad companies desiring the use of said bridge shall have and be entitled to equal rights and privileges relative to the passage of railway trains over the same and the approaches thereto upon payment of a reasonable compensation for such use: or, in case or disagreement, upon such terms and conditions as shall be prescribed by the Secretary of War upon hearing the allegations and proofs of the parties in interest. Sec. 8. Amendment.That the right to alter, amend, or repeal this Act is hereby expressly reserved.
Approved, March 3, 1901.