The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-10-21
Approved. June 10, 1872.
IGSsHRAL sAruxp-No. ST..

AN ACT 10 authorize the construction OF a
bridge, and to establish the same as a post.
road.
Be It enacted BY the Senate and House Of Rep
| resentatives # the United States of america IN
Congress assembled, That 1t shall be lawful for
having authority from the States of Iowa and
Illinois, to build bridge across the Mississippi
over said bridge railway tracks, fer the more
perfect connection OF any railroads that are or
shall be constructed to the said river Mt or oppc-
site said point, under the limitations and cond.
tions hereinafter provided: that said bridge
shall not interfere with the free navigator OF
said river beyond wha: Is necessary in order to
carry into effect the rights and privileges hereby
granted; and In case any litigation arising from
any obstruction or alleged obstruction to the
free navigation Of said river, the cause may be
tried before the district court of the United
States of any State in which any portion of
said obstruction or bridge touches.
SEC. 2. That any bridge built under the pro.
visions Of this act may. at the option of the
pany building the same, be built either pivot
draw-bridge, with pivot or other form of draw,
or with unbrOken or continuous spans Provided,
That II the said bridge shall be made with UNI
less elevation in any case than fifty feet above
high-water mark, as understood at the point Of
location, to the bottom chord Of the bridge, nor
shall the spans Of said bridge be less than two
hundred and fifty feet In length; and the piers OF
said bridge shall be parallel with the current CT
the river, and the main span shall be over the
main channel Of the river, and not less than
three hundred feet In length: Assd provided also,
That il any brifge built under this act shall be
constructed as a pivot draw.brdge, the same
shall be constructed with a draw over the main
BILE point, and with spans of not less than one
hundred and sixty fest in length In the clear on
each side Of the central or pivot pier of the draw,
and the next adjoining spans to the draw shall
not be less than two hundred and lffy feet, II
the proper location of the draw over the channel
will admit spans of this width betv cen 1t and the
shore, and said. pans shall not be less than
thirty fee. above low-water mark and not less
than ten above extreme high. water mark, meas
uring to the bottom chord Of the bridge and
the piers Of said bridge shall be pa ralel with the
current of the river where said bridge NAV be
erected Aad p Divided also, That said draw shall
be opened promptly, upon reasonable signal for
the passage OF boats, aud in no case shall un-
necessary delay occur in opening the said draw
during or after the passage Of trains
SIC. s That any bridge constructed under this
act, and according to its limitations. shall be q
lawful structure, and shall be known and recog.
nixt d as psst-route, upon which, also ne h CHER
charge shall be made for the transmit ssion over
the same OF the mails, the troops, and the mum.
lions of war of the United States than the rate
per mile paid for their transportation over the
railroads public high ways leading to the sa id
bridge and the United States shall have the
right OF way for postal-telegraph purposes aero 8
SEC. 1 That all railway companies desiring to
use the said bridge shall have and be entitled to
equal rights and privileges In the passage of the
| same and in the use of the machinery and Ak.
| lures thereof and Of all the approaches there.
| TO, under ana upon such terms and conditions
| up n hearing the allegations and proofs of the
parties In case they shall not agree. E.ss'a
$40. o. That the structure he Elm authorized
| Il be built and located under and subject TO
such regulations for the security of navlgatio of
said river as the Secretary of War shall prescribe;
and to secure that object thu said person or per.
sons. company or co poration, shall submit to
| the Secretary of War for his tx mination and
| approval. q design and drawings of The bridge