Chapter 127. To provide for the removal of what is now known as the Aqueduct Bridge, across the Potomac River, and for the building of a bridge in place thereof
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CHAP. 127.— An Act To provide for the removal of what is now known as the Aqueduct Bridge, across the Potomac River, and for the building of a bridge in place thereof. May 18, 1916. [[H. R. 759](/us/bill/64/hr/759).] [[Public, No. 82](/us/pl/64/82).] *Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, * Potomac River, D.C. That the Secretary of WarAqueduct Bridge to be replaced by a new one. be, and he is hereby, authorized and directed to cause to be constructed a bridge across the Potomac River at or near what is now known as the Aqueduct Bridge, replacing said bridge with a substantial structure, at a cost for the bridge and the necessaryCost. approaches thereto of not more than $1,000,000.
Sec. 2. That the Secretary of War is further authorized, if in hisAcquirement of lands for approaches, etc. judgment it should be necessary, to acquire any lands, easements, rights, or property on each side of the Potomac River, by purchase or condemnation, as may be necessary for the construction of said bridge and the approaches thereto. Sec. 3. That in the discharge of his duties hereunder, the SecretaryEmployment of engineers, etc. of War is hereby authorized and directed to employ the services of such engineers and other persons as he shall determine to be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.
Sec. 4. That the sum of $150,000, or so much thereof as may beAppropriation for plans, lands, etc. necessary, is hereby appropriated, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, for the purpose of securing proper plans and for the payment of any lands, easements, rights, or property necessary in the construction of said bridge: *Provided, *That the*Proviso.* Limit of cost. plans and specifications herein authorized shall be so drawn and prepared as to insure the construction of a bridge and approaches thereto within the limit of cost of $1,000,000 as fixed herein.
TheAdvice of Commission of Fine Arts. Secretary of War shall advise with the Commission of Fine Arts in regard to the location, plans and specifications of said bridge andBids for construction. approaches. As soon as the plans and specifications are approved the Secretary of War shall give public notice of the specifications and invite competitive bids for the construction of the bridge and 164 approaches thereto according to the specifications, reserving the right to reject any or all such bids.
Sec. 5. That the said bridge shall be used as a highway for traffic,Highway, etc., bridge. and for gas and water mains, power, telegraph and telephone wires or cables, and interurban railroads upon such conditions and for such compensation as may from time to time be prescribed by the Secretary of War: *Provided, *That the Washington and Old DominionProvisos.Washington and Old Dominion Railway. Double tracks, etc., permitted. Railway, now using the Aqueduct Bridge, shall be permitted, with the approval of the Secretary of War, to change its location so as to cross with a double track the new bridge and approaches herein provided for, and to connect its railway, located in Alexandria County, Virginia, and in the District of Columbia, with the tracks of said new bridge; and that all plans for such change are to be approved by the Secretary of War: *And provided further, *That aRestriction on electric system employed. standard system of electric propulsion shall be installed by said railway on said new bridge, and no dynamo furnishing power to this portion of the road of said railway shall be in any manner connected with the ground, and that the cost of paving and maintaining in good condition between the tracks and two feet outside thereof shall be paid by said railway: *And provided further, *That any electricUse by other electric railways. railway shall have the right to use said new bridge and the double track above described upon terms determined by the Secretary of War, who is hereby authorized and directed to hear the interested parties and to fix the terms of joint trackage.
And all electric railways,Payment for passengers, etc., transported by railways. including the Washington and Old Dominion Railway, using said new bridge shall, in addition to taxes and other charges, pay monthly into the Treasury of the United States the sum of one-half of 1 cent for each passenger transported each way over said new bridge, and just and reasonable rates or charges on all freight transported thereon, and of these sums, when paid into the Treasury,Half to credit of District. one-half shall be credited to the District of Columbia.
Sec. 6. That one-half of the entire expense of constructing saidConstruction and maintenance.District of Columbia to pay one-half. bridge, and its maintenance when constructed, including the amount appropriated in section four of this Act, shall be paid by the District of Columbia. Sec. 7. That the sum of $25,000, or so much thereof as may beAppropriation for repair, etc., of present bridge. necessary, is hereby appropriated, out of any moneys in the Treasury of the United States not otherwise appropriated, for the purpose of maintaining and repairing the present Aqueduct Bridge until the new bridge herein provided for is completed.
Approved, May 18, 1916.