The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1872-01-13
BRIDGES ACROSS THE OHIO
RIVER.

In the House OF Representatives on
the Sth inst, the following bill. intro
duced by Mr.. Kerr, was read twice.
referred TO the committee on Commerce,
aud ordered to be printed.
A BILL TO authorize the construction OF
bridges across the Ohio river, and 10 pre-
scribe the dimensions Of the same.
Be il enacted BY tie Senate and House
Of Representatives Of he United States q
America in Congress assembled, That
any person or corporations, having law.
full authority therefor from the States
upon whose soil the ends OF said bridges
may rest may erect bridges across the
Ohio river, for railroad or other uses,
upon compliance with the provisions
and requirements OF this act.
SEC. 2. That every bridge hereafter
erected across the Ohio river, above the
mouth OF the Big Sandy. shall have q,
least one span Of height Of not less
than ninety feet above low water, and
OF not less than forty feet above local
highest water, measured to the lowest
part Of the span that every bridge
hereafter erected across the Ohio river
below the mouth Of the Big Sshdy shall
have at lesst one span Of height OF
not less than one hundred feet above
low water, and OF not less than forty
feet above highest water, measured TO
the lowest part OF the span; that this
high span shall give clear opening OF
at least four hundred feet between the
piers, measured at right angles 10 the
current at every stage, and that II shall
be placed OYER that portion OF the river
used by boats during ordinary stages OF
water: Provided, That in case this high
span il not over the low water channel,
suitable arrangements be made else
where TO permit the passage OF single
boats under the bridge at low water /,
that all bridges over the Ohio river
below the Covington and Cincinnati sus-
pension bridge shall have, in addition
to the high span prescribed above, a
pivot-draw, giving two clear openings
Of one hundred and sixty feet each,
measured at right angles to the current
at the average stage OF water IN the
river. and located in part Of the bridge
that can be safely and conveniently
reached at that stage; and that said
draw shall be opened promptly, upon
reasonable signal, for the passage oi
boats whose construction shall not be
such as TO admit OF their passage under
the permanent spans Of said bridge, ex'
cept when trains are passing over the
same.
SEC. 3 That the piers ei the high
span and the piers OF the draw shall be
built parallel with the current at that
stage OF the river which is most i'm.
portant Tor navigation; and that no
ripraps or other outside protection for
imperfect foundations will be permitted
in the channelway ofthe high span, or
OF the draw openings.
SEC 4. That any person, company
or corporation authorized to cons.ruc,
bridge across the Ohio river by the
| States upon whose territory said bridge
will abut shall submit 10 the Secretary
Of War, Tor his examination, design
of the bridge and piers, and map oi
the location, giving, for the space OF al
least one mile above and one mile
below the proposed location, the topo.
graphy OF the banks OF the river, the
shore li0es at high and low water, The
4 30 fhs, all ~
and the soandings accurately showing
the bed oi the stream, and -hall furnish
-uch other information as may be re-
4uired Tor full and satisfactory under.
standing Vi the subject by the Secretary
Of War and il the Secretary Of War IL
satisfied that the provisions Of the law
have been com Piled with in regard to
location, the building OF the piers may
he at once commenced, but II it shall
appear that The. conditions prescribed
by this act cannot be complied with at
the location where il il desired 10 COO
slruct the bridge, the Secretary o. 'sr
shall detail a board, comIpscJ oi three
experienced officers of the Corps Of
Engineers, TO examine the case, aud
may, OF their recommendation, author
lze such notifications in the require
ments Of this act ~ will permit the con.
struction OF the bridge Proriiei. That
the free navigation OF the river he not
materiaiiy injured thereby
SEc. .. That all parties owning or
operating bridges over the Ohio river
shall maintain, al their own expense.
from sunset 10 sunrise throughout the
year, such ligbts on their bridges as
may be required by tue Light House
Board Tor the security OF navigation.
So. e. That any bridge constructed
under this act, and according TO lis
limitations, shall be a lawful structure,
aud shall be recognized and known as q
post.route, upon which, also. no higher
charge shall be made for the transmits
sion over the same oi The mails. the
troops. and The mupitions Of war Of the
United States, than the rate per mile
pail for the transportation over the rail.
roads or public highways leading 10
said bridge asi 10 case Of any htiga
ton arising from any obstruction or
alleged obstruction to the navigation oi
said river created by the construction OF
any bridge under this act, the cause or
question arising may be tired before the
district court oi the United States of any
State in which any portion OF said OBJ
struciion or bridge touches.
SEC. 7. That the right 10 alter or
amend this act % as 70 prevent or re-
move all material obstruciions 10 the
navigation Of said river by the construc.
ton Of bridges is hereby expressly re-
served .... ....E &. -
SEC. 8. That joint resolution namber
ten, approved April seventh. eighteen
huodred and siIty-pine, authorizing the