Chapter 1789. To authorize the board of county commissioners of the county of Hampden, in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, to construct a bridge across the Connecticut River between Chicopee and West Springfield, in said county and Commonwealth
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CHAP. 1789.— An Act To authorize the board of county commissioners of the county of Hampden, in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, to construct a bridge across the Connecticut River between Chicopee and West Springfield, in said county and Commonwealth. April 28, 1904.[[S. 5557](/us/bill/33/s/5557).][[Public, No. 221](/us/pl/33/221).] *Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled*, That the board of countyConnecticut River.Hampden County may bridge, at Chicopee.
Mass. commissioners of the county of Hampden, in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, be, and hereby is, authorized to construct and maintain a bridge across the Connecticut River connecting Exchange street, in the city of Chicopee, in said Commonwealth, and Wayside avenue, in the town of West Springfield, in said Commonwealth. Sec. 2. That said bridge shall be built and located under and subjectSecretary of War to approve plans, etc. to such regulations for the security of navigation as the Secretary of War may prescribe, and to secure that object the said hoard of county commissioners shall submit for his examination and approval designs and drawings of said bridge, and maps of the location thereof, 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 location are approved by him the said bridge shall not be commenced or built, and should any change be made in said bridge before or after completion, such change shall likewise be subject to the approval of the Secretary of War.
Sec. 3. That said bridge shall be, so kept and managed as to offerUnobstructed navigation. reasonable and proper means for the passage of vessels through or under the same; and for the safety of vessels passing at night thereLights, etc. shall be displayed on said bridge, from sunset to sunrise, such lights or other signals as the Light-House Board shall prescribe; and anyChanges. 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 county commissioners at its own expense.
Sec. 4. That the bridge constructed, maintained, and operated underLawful structure and post route. 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 transportion 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 of war over public highways leading to said bridge: and the UnitedTelegraph, etc., rights.
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. That this Act shall be null and void if actual construction ofTime of construction. the said bridge be not commenced in one year and completed in three years from the date hereof. Sec. 6. That the right to alter, amend, or repeal this Act is herebyAmendment. expressly reserved.
Approved, April 28, 1904.