Chapter 286. To authorize the construction of a bridge across Sunflower River in Sharkey County, Mississippi
774 words·~4 min read·
/statutes-at-large/vol-33/chapter-286-3039381·A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
CHAP. 286.— An Act To authorize the construction of a bridge across Sunflower River in Sharkey County, Mississippi. January 28, 1905.[[H. R. 17100](/us/bill/34/hr/17100).][[Public, No. 32](/us/pl/34/32).] *Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled*, That the Delta Southern Railway,Sunflower River, Miss.Delta Southern Railway may bridge, in Sharkey County. a corporation organized and existing under and virtue of the laws of the State of Mississippi, he. and is hereby, authorized to construct, maintain, and operate a railroad bridge, with as many tracks as it may deem necessary for railroad traffic, across the Sunflower River at a point suitable to the interests of navigation in the county of Sharkey and State of Mississippi.
Sec. 2. That the bridge authorized to be constructed under this ActSecretary of War to approve plans, etc. shall be located and built under find subject to such regulations for the security of the navigation of said river as the Secretary of War shall prescribe, and to secure that object the said corporation shall submit to the Secretary of War for his examination find approval a design and drawing of the bridge and a map of the location, giving, for the space of one mile above and below the proposed location, the depth 626and currents of the river at all points and the location of any other bridge or bridges, together with ail other information touching said bridge and river as may be deemed requisite by the Secretary of War to determine whether said bridge, when built, will conform to the provisions of this Act and cause no serious obstruction to the navigation of the river or injuriously affect the flow of water.
Sec. 3. Unobstructed navigation.That the Secretary of War is hereby authorized and directed, upon receiving such plan and map and upon being satisfied that a bridge built on such plan and at such locality will conform to the provisions of this Act and cause no serious obstruction to the navigation of the river, or injuriously affect the flow of water, to notify the said corporation that he approves the same; and upon receiving such notification the said corporation may proceed to the erection of said bridge,Changes. conforming strictly to the approved plan and location; but until the Secretary of War shall approve the plan and location of said bridge and notify the said corporation of the same in writing the bridge shall not be built or commenced, and should any change be made in the plan of the bridge during the progress of the work thereon, or after completion, such change shall be subject likewise to the approval of the Secretary of War; and the said bridge shall be changed by the said company at its own expense whenever the Secretary of War shall so direct, in the interest of navigation.
Sec. 4. Lawful structure and post route.That any bridge constructed under this Act shall he a lawful structure, and shall be known as a post-road, for which no higher charge shall be made for the transportation of mail, troops, and munitions of war or other property of the United States over the same than the rate per mile charged for such transportation over the railways Telegraph, etc. rights.leading to said bridge. The United States shall also have a right of wav over said bridge for postal, telegraph, and telephone purposes, and equal privileges in the use of said bridge shall be granted to all telegraph and telephone companies.
Sec. 5. Lights, etc.That the said bridge shall be so kept and managed at all times as not to interfere with the passage of vessels, barges, and rafts, both by day and by night, and there shall be displayed on said bridge by We owner thereof, from sunset to sunrise, such lights or other signals as the Light-House Board may prescribe. Sec. 6. Use by other roads.That all railroad companies desiring the use of said bridge shall have and be entitled to equal rights and privileges relative to the passage of railway trains over the same and the approaches thereto upon Compensation.payment of a reasonable compensation for such use, or. in case of disagreement, upon such terms and conditions as shall be prescribed by the Secretary of War upon hearing the allegations anti proofs of the parties in interest.
Sec. 7. Time of construction.That this Act shall be null and void unless the bridge herein authorized shall be commenced within one year and completed within three years from the date hereof. Sec. 8. Amendment.That the right to amend, alter, or repeal this Act is hereby expressly reserved. Approved, January 28, 1905.