Chapter 954. To authorize the construction of a bridge between Fort Snelling Reservation and Saint Paul, Minnesota
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CHAP. 954.— An Act To authorize the construction of a bridge between Fort Snelling Reservation and Saint Paul, Minnesota. March 17, 1906. [[H. R. 8103](/us/bill/34/hr/8103).] [[Public, No. 60](/us/pl/34/60).] *Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled*, Mississippi River.Bridge authorized across, between Fort Snelling Reservation and St. Paul. Minn. That the Secretary of War be, and he is hereby, authorized and directed to construct a bridge across the Mississippi River between Fort Snelling Reservation and Saint Paul, Minnesota, so as to afford safe and adequate means for communication and transportation of troops and supplies for military purposes Electric car, wagon, and foot bridge.to and from Fort Snelling Military Reservation, and for the passage of vehicles of all kinds, including cars operated by electricity, and of passengers and animals.
Sec. 2. Selection of site, etc.Use of old structure.That the Secretary of War shall select the site for such bridge and for all approaches and abutments thereof, and is authorized 67to use the site of the present structure in case he shall deem such to be for the public interest, and may use any or all of such structure, approaches, and abutments as he may deem best, free and clear of all expense to the United States. The ownership and control of suchControl, etc. bridge so constructed, replaced, or remodeled shall be and remain in the United States, under the direction of the Secretary of War, and the same shall be maintained and used as a public bridge, subject to conditions hereinafter set forth.
Sec. 3. That as soon as practicable the county of Ramsey, State ofTransfer of title, etc. Minnesota, may transfer, grant, and deliver to the United States all of its right, title, and interest in and to the old bridge now crossing said river between Fort Snelling and Saint Paul, so that from the date of such transfer the United States shall have full power and authority over it and all approaches thereto and the right to use any and all parts of such bridge or any approaches, piers, abutments, or material thereof in the construction of any new bridge, or, in the discretion of the Secretary of War. may replace, remodel, alter, or change the present structure so that it shall comply with the requirements of this Act.
Sec. 4. That any bridge so constructed shall not interfere with theUnobstructed navigation. navigation upon the Mississippi River, and shall also provide suitable accommodations for the entrance of steam or electric railways upon said Fort Snelling Reservation under such terms and conditions as shall be prescribed by the Secretary of War and subject to the requirements and provisions of this Act; and that when any steam or electricFree use of bridge. railway shall comply with the requirements and provisions of this Act, by contract or otherwise, the .said company shall have the free use of said bridge for transit, but without any claim to ownership thereof.
Sec. 5. That before any money shall be expended or any obligationContribution by St Paul and railway companies. shall be incurred under the provisions of this Act by the United States there shall be paid or secured to the United States, in such manner as the Secretary of War may direct, not less than one hundred thousand dollars from the city of Saint Paul and not less than twenty-live thousand dollars from any electric street railway company receiving any right of transit across such bridge and such sum from any steam railway company hereafter using such bridge as the Secretary of War may determine; and whenever such sums shall be so paid or secured,Contracts. contract or contracts may be entered into by the Secretary of War for such rights, lands, materials, or work as may be necessary to undertake, commence, or complete such project, or any part thereof, not to exceed in the aggregate the sum hereinafter provided.
Sec. 6. That in addition to the payment of such sum, any electric orRepairs between tracks. steam railway company using such bridge shall pay to the United States the cost of repairing the spaces between the tracks and keeping the same in proper condition between tracks and outside rails on each side to distance equal to the overhang of the cars used in such manner as may be determined by the Secretary of War. Sec. 7. That the Secretary of War shall have the power to authorizeTerms for use. the use of said bridge at any time to any other steam or electric rail way upon such terms and conditions as to him may seem proper; but no such permission to other roads shall be granted unless there shall be first paid to the United States the proportionate cost of such bridge equal to that paid by any other company having such right; but no such permission shall impair or interfere with the rights hereby secured, or which may be granted to any company as aforesaid.
This bridge and all abutments and approaches thereto shall be maintained as telegraph and telephone and postal roads upon such terms as the Secretary of War may determine. 68 Sec. 8. Limit of cost.That the limit of cost for the construction of a new bridge or for replacing, altering, or remodeling of any existing structure shall in no case exceed the sum of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars, and in no case shall the expenditure on the part of the United States exceed the sum of one hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars.
Sec. 9. Time of construction.*Post*, p. 1418.That this Act shall be null and void if actual construction of the bridge herein authorized shall not be commenced within one year and completed within three years from the date hereof. Approved, March 17, 1906.