Chapter 748. Authorizing the commissioners’ court of Escambia County, Alabama, to construct a bridge across Conecuh River at or near a point known as McGowans Ferry, in said county and State
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CHAP. 748.— An Act Authorizing the commissioners’ court of Escambia County, Alabama, to construct a bridge across Conecuh River at or near a point known as McGowans Ferry, in said county and State. February 21, 1903.[[Public, No. 109](/us/pl/34/109).] *Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled*, Conecuh River, Ala.Escambia County may bridge, at McGowans Ferry. That the commissioners’ court of Escambia County, in the State of Alabama, be, and are hereby, authorized to construct, maintain, and operate a bridge across Conecuh River, said bridge to be located at a point suitable to the interests of navigation at or near a point known as McGowans Ferry, in said county and State.
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 commissioners’ court of Escambia County shall submit for his examination 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 subject to the approval of the Secretary of War.
Sec. 3. Protection to navigation.That said bridge shall be kept and managed so as to offer reasonable and proper means for the passage of vessels through or under the same; and for the safety of vessels passing at night there shall be displayed on said bridge by the owners thereof, at their own expense, such lights or other signals as the Light-House Board may Changes.prescribe. And any changes in said bridge which the Secretary of War may at any time order in the interest of navigation shall be made by the owners thereof 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 also no higher charge shall be made for the transportation over the same of the mails, troops, and munitions of war of the United States than the rate per mile paid for transportation of said mails, troops, and munitions Telegraph, etc., rights.of war over public highways leading to said bridge; and the United States shall have the right of way for telegraph, postal, telephone, and other purposes over said bridge.
Sec. 5. Time of construction.That this Act shall be null and void if actual construction of the said bridge be not commenced in one year and completed in 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 21, 1903.