Chapter 1315. To authorize the construction of a pontoon bridge across the Missouri River, in the county of Cass, in the State of Nebraska, and in the county of Mills, in the State of Iowa
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CHAP. 1315.— An Act To authorize the construction of a pontoon bridge across the Missouri River, in the county of Cass, in the State of Nebraska, and in the county of Mills, in the State of Iowa. June 28, 1902.[[Public, No. 196](/us/pl/57/196).] *Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled*, Missouri River, Nebr.Plattsmouth Pontoon Bridge Company may bridge.Location. That the Plattsmouth Pontoon Bridge Company, a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska, its successors and assigns, be, and they are hereby, authorized to construct a wagon bridge across the Missouri River, between the State of Nebraska and the State of Iowa, within the county of Cass, in the State of Nebraska, and the county of Mills, in Wagon and foot bridge. the State of Iowa, and to build, erect, and lay on and over said bridge ways for wagons, vehicles of all kinds, and for the transit of animals, and to provide ways for foot passengers, and to maintain and operate said bridge for the purposes aforesaid and for all other uses and purposes incident to the use of a pontoon wagon bridge not specially Toll. enumerated, and to charge, collect, and receive reasonable compensation and tolls for the transit over such bridge of all wagons, carriages, vehicles of all kinds, persons, foot passengers, and animals, and for *Proviso*.Regulations, etc. all other uses of said bridge not specially enumerated: *Provided*, That the Secretary of War may at any time prescribe such rules, regulations, and rates of toll for transit and transportation over said bridge as may be deemed proper and reasonable.
Sec. 2. Unobstructed navigation. That no bridge shall be erected or maintained under the authority of this Act which shall at anytime substantially and materially obstruct the free navigation of said river, and the bridge shall be constructed with suitable and proper protections for confining the flow of water to a permanent and easily navigated channel for the carrying of steamboats and other water crafts safely through the draw as the Secretary of War may prescribe to be constructed and maintained at the Secretary of War to approve plans, etc. expense of the company owning said bridge; and no bridge shall be commenced or built under this Act until the location thereof and the plans for its construction, with such maps as shall be necessary for a full understanding of the regimen of the river for a distance of one mile above and one-half mile below the proposed site of said bridge, shall have been submitted to and approved by the Secretary of War, and any subsequent change in the plans, construction, or location of Changes. said bridge shall be subject to like approval; and any changes in said bridge which the Secretary of War may at any time deem necessary and order in the interest of navigation shall be made by the owners thereof at their own expense.
Sec. 3. Draw. That said bridge shall be constructed with a draw not less than three hundred feet in the clear for the passing of all water crafts through said structure, and said draw shall be located over the main channel of the river, and the bridge itself be maintained at right angles *Provisos*.Opening draw. to the current of the river as nearly as may be: *Provided*, That said draw shall be opened promptly upon reasonable signal and without Lights, etc. unnecessary delay: *And provided also*, That said company, its successors and assigns, shall maintain at its own expense, from sunset until sunrise, such lights or other signals on said bridge as the Light-House Board shall prescribe.
Sec. 4. Lawful structure and post route. That any bridge built under this Act and according to its limitations shall be a lawful structure and shall be recognized and known as a post route, upon which no higher charge shall be made for the transportation over the same of the mails, the troops, and munitions of war of the United States than the rate per mile paid for other transportation Telegraph, etc., rights. over the public highways leading to such bridge. The United States shall also have the right to construct, without charge therefor, telegraph and telephone lines across and upon said bridge, and equal privileges in the use of said bridge shall be granted to all telegraph and telephone companies. 497 Sec. 5.
That Congress may at any time alter, amend, or repeal this Amendment. Act. Sec. 6. That this Act shall be null and void if the actual construction Time of construction. of the bridge herein authorized be not commenced within six months and completed within one year. Approved, June 28, 1902.