Chapter 670. To authorize the construction of a bridge across the Neuse River at or near Kinston, North Carolina
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CHAP. 670.— An Act To authorize the construction of a bridge across the Neuse River at or near Kinston, North Carolina. April 30, 1902. [[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, * Neuse River. Kinston and Carolina Railway Company may bridge, at Kinston, N. C. That the Kinston and Carolina Rail rond Company, a corporation duh created and existing under the laws of the State of North Carolina, is hereby authorized to build and maintain a railroad bridge across the Nouse River, at such point as may be selected by the said company and approved by the Secretary of War, at or near Kinston, North Carolina, the said bridge to be so constructed as not to interfere with the navigation of said river.
Sec. 2. That any bridge constructed under this Act shall be builtSecretary of War to approve plans, etc. and located under and subject to such regulations for the security of the navigation of said riveras the Secretary of War shall prescribe; and to secure that object the said company shall submit to the Secretary of War. for his examination and approval, a design and drawing of the proposed bridge and a map of the location, giving, for the space of at least 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, and the direction and strength of the current, and the soundings, accurately showing the bed of the stream, and shall furnish such other information as may be required for a full and satisfactory understanding of the subject: and until said plan and location of the bridge are approved by the Secretary of War the bridge shall not be built; and should any change he made in the plan of said bridgeChanges. during the progress of construction or after its completion such change shall be subject to the approval of the Secretary of War.
Sec. 3. That the bridge constructed under this Act shall be a lawfulLawful structure and post route. 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 the munitions of war of the United States than the rate per mile paid for transportation of said mails, troops, and munitions over the railroads and public highways leading to said bridge; and the United States shall have the right of way forPostal telegraph. a postal telegraph across said bridge; and said structure shall be soUnobstructed navigation. kept and managed at all times as to afford reasonable and proper means for the passage of vessels through or under said bridge, and for the safety of vessels passing at night there shall he displayed on said bridge, from sunset to sunrise, at the expense of the owners thereof, such lightsand other signals as maybe prescribed by the Light-HouseLights, etc.
Board; and the said bridge shall be changed or altered at the cost and expense of the owners thereof from time to time, as the Secretary of War may direct, so as to preserve the free and convenient navigation of said river. Sec. 4. That all railroad companies desiring the use of the bridgeUse by other companies.Compensation. constructed under this Act shall have and be entitled to equal rights and privileges relative to the passage of railway trains or cars over the same and over the approaches thereto upon payment of a reasonable compensation for such use: and in case the parties interested shall failLitigation. to agree upon the sum or sums to he paid and upon the rules and conditions to which each shall conform in using said bridge, all matters at issue between them shall, upon the application of either party, be determined by the district court of the United States in and for anyTelegraph, etc. rights. district in which any portion of said bridge may be; and equal privileges in the use of said bridge shall be granted to all telegraph and telephone companies;
Sec. 5. That this Act shall be null and void if actual construction ofTime of construction. the bridge herein authorized be not commenced within one year and completed with three years from the approval of this Act. Sec. 15. That the right to alter, amend, or repeal this Act is herebyAmendment. expressly reserved. Approved, April 30, 1902.