New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1873-02-12
q T. FICAAL l..
Laws of the United states Passed at the
Third session of the EOrty.second
Congress.
GENERAL SArURr-NO. T.!

prescribe she dimensions OF the same.
Be il enacted by the Senate and House Of
Representatives Of the United States OF
America in Congress assembled, mat any
persons or corporations, having lawful au-
thOrity therefor, may hereafter erect bridges
across the Ohio river, for railroad Or other
uses, upon compliance with the provisions
and requirements OF TINS act
SEC. ,. That every bridge hereafter erect
ed across the OHIO river, above the mouth
Of the Big Sandy, shall have at 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, meas
ured to the bottom chord OF the bridge :;
that every bridge hereafter erected across
the Ohio river below the mouth OF the Big
Sandy. shall have at least one span OF
height of not less than one hundred rect
above low water, and of not less than forty
feet above highest water, measured 70 the
bottom chord of the bridge; that this high
span shall give clear opening OF at least
four hundred feet between the piers, meas
ured at right angles to the current at every
stage, and that it shall Uc placed over the
main channel OF the rive: used by boats
during ordinary stages o: water: provided.
however. that any one company. lawfully
authorized by the States OF West Virginia
and Chic. is hereby authorized TO construct
city Of Wheeling, in the State OF West Nir-
ginia, to the opposite side OF said river
within the State CT OHIO, with 4 span over
the main channel of not less than three hun
bred and fifty feet in ienC and III all other
respects cOntormable and subject TO the
provisions of this act. so far as the same
are applicable 80 bridges about the mouth
Of the Big Sandy; and provided, that IN
case this high span Is not over me low
water channel, suitable arrangements be
made elsewhere 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 suspension
bridge, shall have, in addition TO the hlgn
span prescribed above, PIVOT draw, giving
two clear openings OF one hundred ana
slxty feet each, measured at right angles to
the current at the average stage OF water
in the river, and located IN part or the
bridge SHAT can be safely and convent
emily reached at that stage. and that said
draw shall be opened promptly. upon reason
able signal. for the passage OF boats whose
construction shall not be such as TO admit of
their passage under the stationary spans
of said bridge, except when trains are pass
ing over the same: but in no case shall
unnecessary delay occur in opening the
said draw before or after the passage OF
trains.
SEC. 3. That &c piers Of the high span
and the piers of the draw shall be built
parallel with the current az that stage OF
the river which is most important tor navl'
CATION and that no ripraps or other outside
protection for imperfect foundation will be
permitted III the channel-way OF the high
span. or OF the draw openings.
SEC. L. That any person. company. or
corporation authorized to construct a
Irih ~
notice. by publication for one week in news
papers having a wide circulation. in not
less than two newspapers N the cities
OF Pittsburg, Cincinnati, and louisville.
for bridges. above the mouth OF the Big
Sandy. and in the cities of Pittsburg.
Cincinnati, Louisville, ST. Louis. Mem
pAis, and New Orleans. for bridges below
the mouth of the Big Sandy. and shall
submit to the Secretary OF War; for his
examination, design ana drawings OF the
bridge and piers. and a map OK the To-
cation. giving. for the space Of az
least one mile above and one mile below the
proposed location, the topography OF the
banks of the river, the shore lines at high
and low water, the direction of the current
at all stages, and The soundings accurately
showing the bed of the stream. the location
of any other bridge or bridges, and shall
furnish such other information as may be
standing of the subject by the Secretary OF
War; and i. the Secretary Of W ar Is salts
fed that the provisions of the law have been
complied with in regard to location, the
building of the piers may be at once com.
menced: but if II shall appear that the con-
ditions prescribed by this act can not be
complied with at the location where ii is
desired 20 construct the bridge, the Secre-
tarv OF War shall. after considering any
.I.t. Il IN, IL f
said bridge. and furnishing copies OF such
remonstrances to tn. board of engineers
provided tor in this act detail a board COM
posed OF three experienced officers OF the
corps OF engineers, to examine the ease.
and NAV, on their recommendation, author
ize such notifications in the requirements
of this act. as to location and piers. as will
permit the construction of the bridge; nor,
however, diminishing the width OF the
spans contemplated by this act: provided,
that the tree navigation OF the river be not
materially injured thereby.
SEC. 5. That all parties owning occupy
ing or operating bridges over the Ohio river
shall maintain, at their own expense, from
sunset to sunrise throughout the year. such
lights on their bridges as may be required
by the lighthouse board for the security OF
| navigation and oil persons owning, Occ1l'
pying or operating any bridge over the ONO
| river shall. in any event, maintain all lights
on their bridge that may be necessary tor
| the security OF navigation.
SEC. 6. That any bridge constructed un.
der this act. according 20 it. limitations
| shall be a lawful structure. and shall be
| recognized and known as a post route
| upon which, also. no higher charge shall be
| made for the transmission over the same
| of the mails. the troops. and the munitions
-, |., 20
Der mile paid fer the TRANSFORMATION over
| the railroads or public highways leading to
said bridge: and the United States shall
| have the right of way for postal telegraph
purposes across any such bridge; ana IL
| ease OF any litigation arising from any Oh
| struct0n or alleged obstruction 70 the nayi'
| cation OF said river, created by the con
| structICu OF any bridge under this ac: the
! cause or cues ton Arising may be trled be
| fore the dIstric: court of the United States
| OF any State in which any potion OF said
| obstruction or bridge touches.
SEC. l. That the right to alter ur amend
| this act, ST. as 70 prevent or remove all ma
| terial distractions to the navigation of sad
| river by the future construction of bridges,
| is hereby expressly reserved, without any
| LIABILITY of the government for damages on
| ace0un: o: the alteration or amendment OF
| this act. or CT account ot The prevention %!
| recurring the removal OF any -u.h "bstruc
| :i0us: and Il Any chan re Hc made III the riaN
| of construction 81 any bridge constructed
uute! iii. act. .,u,in. the progress OF th'
| work thereon or before the completion o.
| such. bridge. such change shal! be s!1ieci
! !" he approval II IL" Secretary q u Ar
! and any change. in the construction. %" .tn'
| alteration Of any so.h bridge that :HaT W
| directed a. any time Hy Congress. shalt ht
az 81 1 4