Chapter 939. To authorize The New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad Company to construct, maintain, and operate a bridge across the Connecticut River
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CHAP. 939.— An Act To authorize The New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad Company to construct, maintain, and operate a bridge across the Connecticut River. April 7, 1904. [[S. 4672](/us/bill/58/s/4672).] [[Public, No. 85](/us/pl/58/85).] *Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled*, Connecticut River. New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad Company may bridge, Saybrook to Lyme, Conn. That The New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad Company, a corporation created by the general assembly of the State of Connecticut, its successors and assigns, be, and the same are hereby, authorized to construct, maintain, and operate a railroad bridge across the Connecticut River from a point in the town of Old Saybrook easterly to a point on the opposite bank of said river in the town of Old Lyme, the exact location, length of span, and height of said bridge to be approved by the Secretary of War.
Lawful structure and post route. The said bridge, when built in accordance with the provisions and requirements of this Act, shall be a legal and lawful structure and may be used as a highway for railroad purposes, and shall take the place of the present railroad bridge in said vicinity. Sec. 2. Secretary of War to approve plans, etc. That the bridge authorized shall be built under and subject to such regulations for the security of navigation of said river as the Secretary of War shall prescribe, and to secure that object the said company shall submit to the said Secretary of War for his examination and approval a design and drawing of the bridge and piers and a map 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, an accurate representation of the bottom of the river, determined by actual soundings, 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 Changes. 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. Unobstructed navigation. That this 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 Lights, etc. shall be displayed on said bridge from sunset to sunrise such lights or other signals as the Light-House Board shall prescribe. And any 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 company at its own expense.
Sec. 4. 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 161 passage of railway trains over the same and the approaches thereto upon 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 and proofs of the parties in interest. Sec. 5. That the bridge constructed, maintained, and operated under Telegraph, etc., rights. this Act shall be known as a post-road, upon which no higher charge shall be made for the transportation 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 railroads or public highways leading to said bridge; and said bridge shall enjoy the rights and privilege of other post-roads in the United States and the United States shall have the right of way across 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. 6. That this Act shall become null and void if the construction Time of construction. of the bridge herein authorized be not commenced within one year and completed within three years after the passage of this Act. Sec. 7. That said corporation shall remove the existing railroad Removal of present bridge. bridge after the proposed bridge is completed and ready for practical operation, and said removal as to the time and manner thereof shall be subject to the direction of the Secretary of War.
Sec. 8. That Congress hereby reserves the right to alter, amend, or Amendment. repeal this Act. Approved, April 7, 1904.