Chapter 560. To authorize the construction of a bridge across the Missouri River between the city of Chamberlain, in Brule County, and Lyman County, in the State of South Dakota
777 words·~4 min read·
/statutes-at-large/vol-32/chapter-560-3703874·A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
CHAP. 560.— An Act To authorize the construction of a bridge across the Missouri River between the city of Chamberlain, in Brule County, and Lyman County, in the State of South Dakota. February 18, 1903.[[Public, No. 91](/us/pl/57/91).] *Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled*, That the Missouri RiverMissouri River, S. Dak.Missouri Bridge Company may bridge, at Chamberlain. Bridge Company, a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of South Dakota, be, and is hereby, authorized to construct and maintain a bridge and approaches thereto across the Missouri River between the city of Chamberlain, in Brule County, in the State of South Dakota, and Lyman County, in the State of SouthWagon and foot bridge.Toll.
Dakota. Said bridge shall he constructed to provide for the passage of wagons and vehicles of all kinds, animals, and foot passengers for such reasonable rates of toll and under such reasonable rules and regulations as may be prescribed by said corporation and approved by the Secretary of War. Sec. 2. That any bridge built under this Act and subject to its limitationsLawful structure and post route. 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 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 railroad or public highway leading to said bridge.
The United States shall also have the right to construct, withoutTelegraph, etc., rights. charge therefor, telegraph and telephone lines across and upon said834bridge, and equal privileges in the use of said bridge shall be granted to all telegraph and telephone companies. Sec. 3. Pontoon bridge.That said bridge shall be constructed as a pontoon bridge, and shall contain a drawspan giving a clear opening of not less than three hundred feet in length, which drawspan shall be maintained over the main channel of the river at an accessible and navigable point, and said bridge other than the drawspan shall be at right angles *Provisos.*Opening draw.to the current of the river at high water: *Provided,* That the said draw shall be opened promptly by said company upon the reasonable Lights, etc.signal for the passage of boats and rafts, and said company or corporation shall maintain at its own expense from sunset to sunrise such lights or other signals on said bridge as the Light-House Board shall Unobstructed navigation.prescribe.
No bridge shall be erected or maintained under the authority of this Act which shall at any time unreasonably obstruct the free Changes.navigation of said river; and if any bridge erected under such authority shall, in the opinion of the Secretary of War, unreasonably obstruct such navigation, he is hereby authorized to cause the entire removal thereof or such change or alteration of such bridge to be made as will effectually obviate such obstruction, and all such alterations shall be made and all such obstructions shall be removed at the expense of the Litigation.owner or owners of said bridge; and in case of any litigation arising from any obstruction or alleged obstruction to the free, navigation of said river, caused or alleged to be caused by said bridge, the case may be brought in the district court of the United States of the State of South Dakota in whose jurisdiction any portion of said obstruction or bridge maybe located: *Provided further*, That nothing in this act Existing laws not affected.shall be so construed as to repeal or modify any of the provisions of the aw now existing in reference to the protection of the navigation of rivers or to exempt this bridge from the operations of the same.
Sec. 4. Secretary of War to approve plans, etc.That 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 said bridge shall be subject to like approval.
Sec. 5. Time of construction.That this Act shall be null and void unless the bridge herein authorized bo commenced within one year and completed within three years from the date hereof. Sec. 6. Amendment.That the right to alter, amend, or repeal this Act is hereby expressly reserved. Approved, February 18, 1903.