Chapter 562. To authorize the board of commissioners for the Connecticut bridge and highway district to construct a bridge across the Connecticut River at Hartford, in the State of Connecticut
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CHAP. 562.— An Act To authorize the board of commissioners for the Connecticut bridge and highway district to construct a bridge across the Connecticut River at Hartford, in the State of Connecticut. February 18, 1903.[[Public, No. 93](/us/pl/57/93).] *Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled*, Connecticut River.Bridge at Hartford, Conn., authorized.Drawbridge. That the board of commissioners for the Connecticut bridge and high way district, a body politic and corporate, created by the laws of the State of Connecticut, be, and hereby is, authorized to construct and maintain a drawbridge across the Connecticut River at Hartford, in the State of Connecticut, between the city of Hartford and the town of East Hartford.
Sec. 2. Secretary of War to approve plans, etc.That said bridge shall be built and located under and subject to such regulations for the security of navigation as the Secretary of War may prescribe; and to secure that object the said board of commissioners shall submit for his examination and approval designs and drawings of the bridge, and maps of the location, giving, for the space of one-half mile above and one-half mile below the proposed location, the topography of the banks of the river, the shore lines at high and low water, the direction and strength of the currents, and the soundings, accurately showing the bed of the river, and shall furnish such other information as may be required for a full and satisfactory understanding of the subject; and until the said plans and locations are approved by him the bridge shall not be commenced or built; and should any change be made in said bridge before or after completion, such change shall be likewise subjected to the approval of the Secretary of W ar.
Sec. 3. Unobstructed navigation.That said bridge shall be kept and managed so as to offer reasonable and proper means for the passage of vessels through or Lights, etc.under the same, and for the safety of vessels passing at night there shall be displayed on said bridge from sunset to sunrise such lights or Changes.other signals as the Light-House Board shall prescribe. And any changes in said bridge which the Secretary of War may at any time deem necessary to be made and shall order in the interest of navigation shall be made by said board of commissioners at their own expense.
Sec. 4. Lawful structure and post route.That the bridge constructed, maintained, and operated 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, troops, and munitionsTelegraph, etc., rights. of war of the United States than the rate per mile paid for transportation of said mails, troops, and munitions of war over public highways leading to said bridge; and the United States shall have the right of way for telegraph, postal, and telephone purposes over said bridge, and equal privileges in the use of said bridge shall be granted to all telegraph and telephone companies.
Sec. 5. Time of construction.That this Act shall bo null and void if actual construction of the said bridge be not commenced in two years and completed in six years from the date hereof. 837 Sec. 6. That the right to alter, amend, or repeal this Act is herebyAmendment. expressly reserved. Approved, February 18, 1903.