Chapter 567. To authorize the construction of a bridge across the Monongahela River, in the State of Pennsylvania, by the Eastern Railroad Company
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CHAP. 567.— An Act To authorize the construction of a bridge across the Monongahela River, in the State of Pennsylvania, by the Eastern Railroad Company. February 18, 1903.[[Public, No. 98](/us/pl/34/98).] *Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled*, That the Eastern Railroad Company, a corporation created and organized under the laws of the State of Pennsylvania, its successors and assigns, be, and it is hereby, 840 authorized to construct and maintain a bridge and approaches thereto Location.over the Monongahela River, in the State of Pennsylvania, from a point on the north shore between Hazlewood avenue and the Glenwood highway bridge to a point on the south shore in the township of Baldwin or the township of Lower Saint Clair, in the county of Allegheny *Proviso*.Unobstructed navigation.and State of Pennsylvania: *Provided*, That such location is suitable to the interests of navigation.
Sec. 2. Lawful structure and post route.That said bridge shall be constructed for the passage of railway trains, and 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 munitions of war of the United States than the rate per mile paid for the transportation over the railroads leading to the said bridge, and shall enjoy the rights and privileges of other post-roads in the United Telegraph, etc., rights.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 *Proviso*.Use by other roads.telegraph and telephone purposes: *Provided*, That all railroad companies desiring the use of said bridge shall have and be entitled to equal rights and privileges in the passage of railroad trains over the same Compensation.and the approaches thereto, upon payment of a reasonable compensation for such use; and in case the owner or owners of said bridge and the several railroad companies or any one of them desiring such use shall fail to agree upon the sum or sums to be paid and upon the rules and conditions to which each shall conform in the use of said bridge, all matters at issue between them shall be decided by the Secretary of War upon a hearing of the allegations and proofs of the parties.
Sec. 3. 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 of such river as the Secretary of War shall prescribe; and to secure that object the company building the said bridge shall submit to the Secretary of War, for his examination and approval, a design and drawing of the bridge and a map of the location thereof, and until the said plan and location are approved by the Secretary of War the said bridge shall Changes.not be commenced or built, and no changes shall be made in said bridge during the progress of construction, or after completion, unless approved by the Secretary of War; and the said company shall, at its own expense, make from time to time such changes in said bridge as Lights, etc.the Secretary of War may order in the interests of navigation; and the said company, its successors and assigns, shall cause to be displayed on said bridge between the hours of sunset and sunrise, and at other times, such lights and other signals as may be prescribed by the Light-House Board.
Sec. 4. Time of construction.That this Act shall be null and void if actual construction of the bridge herein authorized be not commenced within one year and completed within two years from the date of the approval of this Act. Sec. 5. Amendment.That the right to alter, amend, or repeal this Act is hereby expressly reserved. Approved, February 18, 1903.