New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-07-31
fPUBLIC-NO. 1861


AN ACT authorizing the construction of a
bridge across the Arkansas river at Little
Rock, Arkansas.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of
Representatives, of the United States of
America in Congress assembled. That it
shall be lawful for the Cicizens Bridge
Company, a corporation having authority
from the State OF Arkansas, to build a rail
road, transit, and wagon bridge across
the Arkansas river at or near the
city OF Little Rock, in Arkansas, and
that, when constructed, all trains Of
all roads terminating at the Arkan-
sas river. at or near the location of said
bridge. shall be allowed to cross said bridge
for a reasonable compensation TO be paid TO
the owners thereof; and in case of any liti-
CATION arising from any obstruction or
alleged obstruction to the free navigation
of said river, the cause may he tried before
the district court of the United States of
any State in which any portion OF said oo
structiOn or bridge touches.
SEC. :. And be it further enacted. That
any bridge built under the provisions OF
this act may, at the option of the company
Building the same. be built as a draw
bridge, with a pivot or other form OF a
draw, or with unbroken and continuous
spans: Provided. That if the said bridge
shall be made with unbrOken and cOntinu-
oIs spans, it shall not be in any case OF less
elevation than fifty feet above extreme
lgl-water mark, IA understood at the point
OF location. to the bottom chord of the
bridge Nor shall the spans be of less than
two hundred and fifty feet in length in the
c,ea": and the piers of said bridge shall he
parallel with the current of said river: and
TIE main span shall be over the main chan
nel OF the river at low water: And provided
also. That if any bridge built under this act
shall be constructed as draw-bridge the
same shall be constructed as a pivot
draw-bridge. with a draw over the
main channel OF the river at an accessible
and navigable point, and with spans of not
less than one hundred and sixty feet in
length in the clear, on each side OF the cen
tral or pivot pier of the draw. And the
next adjoining spans to the draw shall not
be less than two hundred and fifty feet: and
said spans shall not be less than twenty
feet above high water mark. measuring to
the bottom chord OF the bridge: and the
piers of said bridge shall be parallel with
the current of the river; and provided also.
that said draw shall be opened promptly
upon reasonable signal for the passage of
boats whose construction shall not be such
as to admit of their passage under the per-
manent spans of said bridge, except when
trains are passing over the same: but III no
case shall unnecessary delay occur i'll open
ing the draw during or after the passa &c of
trains.
SEC. 2. And be it further enacted, That
any bridge constructed under this act and
according to its limitations shall be a lawful
structure, and shall be recognized and
known as post route upon which also no
higher charge shall be made for the trans
mission over the same of the mails the
troops, and the munitions Of war of the
United States, than the rate per mile paid
for their transportation over the railroads
or the public highways leading to the same
bridge; and provided also, that said cor
poration may execute a mortgage and issue
bonds payable, principal and interest, in
gold or United States currency.
SEC. 4. And be it further enacted, That
the United States shall have the right of
way for postal telegraph purposes across
said bridge.
SEC. 5. And be it further enacted, That
the bridge company aforesaid shall submit
to the Secretary of War, for his approval,
plan with the necessary drawings of their
bridge, conforming to the above require
ments; and until the Secretary of War APP
prove the plan and location of said bridge,
and notify the company of the same in
writing. the bridge shall not be built or
commenced; and should any change he
made in the plan of the bridge during the
progress of the work thereon. such change
Shall be subject likewise to the approval of
the Secretary of War.
SEC. 6. And be it further enacted. That
Congress shall have power at any time to
alter, amend, or repeal this act.
Approved, July i, 1870.