Chapter 502. To authorize the construction of a bridge across the navigable waters of Saint Andrews Bay
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CHAP. 502.— An Act To authorize the construction of a bridge across the navigable waters of Saint Andrews Bay. February 23, 1906. [[H. R. 11263](/us/bill/59/hr/11263).] [[Public, No. 21](/us/pl/59/21).] *Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled*, Saint Andrews Bay, Fla.Birmingham, Columbus and Saint Andrews Railroad Company may bridge. That the Birmingham, Columbus and Saint Andrews Railroad Company, a corporation duly created and existing, is hereby authorized to build and maintain a railroad bridge across the navigable waters of Saint Andrews Bay, in Location.Washington County.
Florida, at or near a point on the north arm of Unobstructed navigation.said bay known as Grassy Point, on North Bay. the said bridge to be so constructed as not to interfere with the navigation of said navigable waters. Sec. 2. Secretary of War to approval plans, etc. That any bridge constructed under this Act shall be built and located under and subject to such regulations for the security of the navigation of said navigable waters as 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 arm of the bay, 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 be made in the plan of said bridge during the progress of construction or after its completion such change shall be subject to the approval of the Secretary of War.
Sec. 3. Lawful structure and post route. That the bridge constructed under this Act 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 transportation over the 19same 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 for a postal telegraph across said bridge; and equal privileges in the useTelegraph, etc., rights. of said bridge shall be granted to all telegraph and telephone companies; and said structure shall be so 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 atLights, etc. night there shall be displayed on said bridge, from sunset to sunrise, at the expense of the owners thereof, such lights and other signals as may be prescribed by the Light-House 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 pre serve the free and convenient navigation of said river.
Sec. 4. That all railroad companies desiring the use of said bridgeUse by other roads. 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 payment of a reasonable compensation for such use, or, in caseCompensation 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 this Act shall be null and void if actual constructionTime of construction. of the bridge herein authorized be not commenced within one year and completed within three years from the approval of this Act. Sec. 6. That the right to alter, amend, or repeal this Act is herebyAmendment. expressly reserved. Approved, February 23, 1906.