Chapter 952. To authorize the Pennsylvania Railroad Company and the Pennsylvania and Newark Railroad Company, or their successors, to construct, maintain, and operate a bridge across the Delaware River
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CHAP. 952.— An Act To authorize the Pennsylvania Railroad Company and the Pennsylvania and Newark Railroad Company, or their successors, to construct, maintain, and operate a bridge across the Delaware River. March 16, 1906. [[S. 3288](/us/bill/34/s/3288).] [[Public, No. 48](/us/pl/34/48).] *Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled*, Delaware River, N.J. and Pa.Pennsylvania Railroad Company and Pennsylvania and Newark Railroad Company may bridge.
That the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, a corporation existing under the laws of the State of Pennsylvania, and the Pennsylvania and Newark Railroad Company, a corporation existing under the laws of the State of New Jersey, or their successors, be, and they are hereby, authorized to construct, maintain, and operate a bridge, with as many tracks as they shall deem Location.necessary for railroad traffic, across the Delaware River between a point south of and within one mile of the southern boundary line of the city of Trenton, in the State of New Jersey, and a point south of and within one mile of the southern boundary line of the borough of Opening draw.Morrisville, in the county of Bucks and State of Pennsylvania.
Said bridge shall be constructed with a draw suitable to accommodate the passage of vessels and boats, which shall be opened promptly upon reasonable signal. Sec. 2. Secretary of War to approve plans, etc.That the bridge authorized to be constructed under this Act shall be located and built under and subject to such requirements for the security of navigation of said river as the Secretary of War shall 65prescribe, and to secure that object the said railroad companies shall submit to the Secretary of War for his examination and approval a design and drawing of the bridge and a map of the location, giving for the space of one mile the depth and current of the river at all points and the location of any other bridge or bridges, together with all 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. That the Secretary of War is hereby authorized and directed,Unobstructed navigation. upon receiving said plan and map and upon being satisfied that a bridge built on such plan and at said 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 companies that he approves the. same, and upon receiving such notification the said companies may proceed to the erection of said bridge, conforming strictly to the approved plan and location; but until the Secretary of War shall approve the plan and location of the said bridge and notify the said companies of the same in writing the bridge shall not be built or commenced: and should any change be made in the plan of theChanges. 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.
Sec. 4. That any bridge constructed under this Act shall be a legalLawful structure and post route. structure and shall be known as a post-road, over which no higher charge shall be made for the transportation of mails, troops, and munitions of war. or other property of the United States than the rate per mile charged for their transportation over the railways and public highways leading to said bridge. The United States shall also haveTelegraph, etc., rights. the right of way 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: *Provided,* That all railroad*Proviso*.Use by other roads. 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 payment of a reasonableCompensation. 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 said bridge shall be so kept and managed at all timesLights, etc. as not to interfere with the passage of vessels, barges, or rafts, both by day and by night, and there shall be displayed on said bridge by the owners thereof, from sunset to sunrise, such lights or other signals as the Light-House Board may prescribe. Sec. 6. That this Act shall be null and void unless the bridge hereinTime of construction. authorized shall be commenced within one year and completed within five years from the date hereof.
Sec. 7. That the right to alter, amend, or repeal this Act is herebyAmendment. expressly reserved. Approved, March 16, 1906.