New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1873-01-31
OF &c a L..
flaws Of the United Stairs Passed AT the
Third session of tAe FeFty-SecORd
Congress.
GENERAL NATURG-&O. ].

bridges across the Ono river, and 20
prescribe the dimensions OF the same.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of
Representatives of the United States of
America in Congress assembled, That any
DersODs 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 this ACT.
SsC. 9. That every bridge hereafter erect
ed across the OHIO river, above the mouth
of the Big Sandy, shall have az least one
.nan of a height of not less than ninety
feet above low water, and Of not less than
forty feet above local highest water, meas
ured 20 the bottom chord OF the bridge
that every bridge hereafter erected across
,he Ohio river below the mouth of the Big
SANDY. shall have 1T least one span of a
height of not less than one hundred feet
ahovs low water and of not less than forty
feet above highest water, measured to the
bottom chord of the bridge; that this high
span shall give a clear opening of at least
four hundred feet between the piers, meas
ured at right angles to the current at every
stsge. and that it shall he placed over the
main channel OF the river used by boats
during ordinary stages of water; provided,
however, that any one company. lawfully
authorized by the States of West Virginia
and Chic, is hereby authorized 10 construct
a bridge across the Ohio river, from the
city of Wheeling, in the State of West Fir
sinia 20 the opposite side of said river
within the State Of OHIO, with span over
the main channel of not less than three hun
dred and fifty feet in length, and in all other
respects cunformahle and subject to the
provisions Of this act, so far as the same
are applicable 60 bridges about the mouth
of the Big Sandy; and provided that in
case this high span ia not over the 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 Coyington and Cincinnati suspension
bridge, shall have, in addition to the high
span prescribed above, PIVOT draw, giving
two clear openings of one hundred and
sixty feet each, measured at right angles to
the current AZ the average stage of water
in the river, and located in part of the
bridge fthat 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 20 admit of
tbeiy 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. g. Tha. the piers Of the high span
and Che piers of che draw shall be built
parallel with the current at that stage of
the river which is most important for ravi-
CATION: ard that no ripraps or otheS outside
protection for imperfec: foundation will he
permitted in the chsnnel-wsy OF Tie high
span, or OF the draw openings.
SEC 4. That any person, company, 81
corporation authorized 20 construct %
bridge ACROSS the Ohio river shall give
notice, by publication for one week IN news
Dspers iaying q wide circulation, in not
less than sVo newspapers IN the cities
of Pittsburg, Cincinnati, ana louisville,
for bridges, above the mouth OF the Big
SANDY, and in The cities of Pittsburg,
Cincinnati. Louisville, St Louis. Mem
psis, and New Orleans, for bridges below
the mouth of the Big Sandy, and shall
submit 10 the Secretary of War, FOR his
examination, a design and drawings OF the
bridge and piers, and a map OF she lO'
cation, giving, fug the space 81 at
least one mile above and one mile below the
proposed location, the topography OF the
banks eff 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
required for full and satisfactory under
standing Of Hhe subject by the Secretary OF
War: and if the Secretary OF War IS salts
lied that the provisions of the law have been
complied with ia regard TO location, the
building OF the piers may he at once COM
mencetf; but if it shalt appear that the con
ditions prescribed by tins act can not be
complied with az the location where il Is
desired to construct the bridge, the SeCre-
tary OF War shall. after considering any
circumstances fed against the building OF
said bridge, and furnishing copies OF such
circumstances 10 III" board OF engineers
provided tor III this act, detail "a board com
posed OF three experienced officers OF the
corps OF engineers, 20 examine che%caSe.
and may, on their recommendation, author
ize such notifications in the requirements
of this act. as 20 location and piers, as Will
permit the construction of the bridge; NOT.
horever, diminishing The width OF the
spans contemplated by this act: provided,
that the free navigation OF the rivGy be N0s
materially injured thereby
SEC. ;. That at. parties owning, occupy
ing or operating bridges over the ONO river
shall maintain, az their own expense, from
sunset ts sunrise throughout the year, such
lights on their bridges as may be required
by the lighthouse board Cor the security oil
navigation: and all persons owing. occn-
pying OK operating any bridge over the Cnlo
on their bridge that may be necessary tor
the security OF navigation.
SEC. s. That any bridge constructed I'M
der this act. according 20 its limitations,
shall be 3 lawful structure, and snail De
recognized and known as q post Enute,
upon which. also, no higher charge shall be
made for the transmission over the same
of The mails. The troops, and che mutations
of war OF the United States than Che rat"
per mile paid feg the Sranspoctatlon oVeS
the railroads or public highways leading 70
said bridge: and che United States shaii
have The right Of way fos postal telegraph
purposes across any such bridge; and III
case of any litigation arising from amy ob-
structiou or alleged obstruction 10 the naVi-
CATION Of said river, created By the con
structiOn of any bridge under This acs. the
| cause or question arising may Se sIled be
: fore che district court OF The United States
of any State in which any portion % said
| obstruction or bridge touches.
| SEC. T. That the righs 80 alter or amend
! this act, SO as to prevent or remove al mo
| teriai obstructi0ns 70 the navigation OF SAID
! river by the future construction "a bridges,
| is hereby expressly reserved, without any
! liability of the government Tor damages ON
! account of the alteration or amendment OF
! this acT, or On account OF The prevention OF
! requiring the removal of any such nbStFuc
! lions; aud If any change be made IN the plan
| of cons tsucrion of any bridge constructed
under this act, during the progress of The
work thereon OF before the completion 81
such bridge, such change shall be suhleef
| TO the apprcva! of she Secretary OF War
and any change in Che construction, or ann
| alteration Of any such bridge thai mag be
directed az any sirne by Congress, shall be
! made az The cost and expense OF Che oWn%f'
! thereof.
SEC 9. yhas joiGe resolution number zen
| approved April seventh eighteen hundred
! and sixty nine, authorizing the SoHstruc
zion OF bridge over the Ohio river at "a
ducah. be, ana Che sane hereby Is, &c