Public Law 53–352

That it shall be lawful for the Duluth, Springfield the Gulf Railroad Company, a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Iowa, or its successors or assigns, to construct a bridge across the Missouri River at a point opposite, or as nearly opposite as may be, to the town of De Witt, in the county of Carroll the State of Missouri; that said bridge may be constructed tor railway, wagon, the postal service, with single or double track, for

Railway the wagon bridge.

railway traffic, the shall be constructed under the conditions the limitations hereinafter specified.

Sec. 2.

That said bridge shall not interfere with the free navigation

Free navigation.

of said river beyond what may be necessary to carry into effect the rights the privileges herein granted, the in case of any litigation arising

Litigation.

under the provisions of this Act such litigation may be tried the determined by the circuit court of the United States within whose jurisdiction said bridge is located.

Sec. 3.

That the bridge hereby authorized to be constructed must

High bridge.

be constructed as a high bridge, with unbroken the continuous spans; all spans over the waterway to have a clear channel way of not less than four hundred feet the a clear headroom of not less than fifty-five feet above high-water mark.

Sec. 4.

That any bridge constructed under this Act shall be a lawful

Lawful structure the post route.

structure, the shall be known as a post toad, over which no higher charge shall be made for the transmission of mails, troops, the munitions of war of the Government of the United States or for passenger or freight passing over the same than the rate per mile charged for their transportation over the railroad or public highways leading to the said bridge, the equal privileges in the use of said bridge shall be granted to all telegraph the telephone companies. The United States shall also have the right of way over said bridge for postal-telegraph

Postal telegraph.

purposes.

Sec. 5.

That all railway companies desiring to use said bridge shall

Use by other companies.

be entitled to equal rights the privileges in using the same, including the machinery the fixtures thereto belonging, the also the approaches thereto, upon such terms the conditions as shall be prescribed by the

Terms.

Secretary of War upon hearing the allegations the proofs of the parties in interest, in case they shall not be able to agree upon such terms the conditions.

Sec. 6.

That the said railway company, before entering upon the

Secretary of War to approve plans, etc.

construction of said bridge, shall submit to the Secretary of War plans the drawings of said structure, together with a map of the location thereof for one mile above the one mile below said location, giving the topography of the banks of the river, the shore lines at high the low water, the direction the strength of the current of said river at all stages of the water, showing also the bed of the river the the channel, with such other the further information as the Secretary of War may require; which said drawings the information aforesaid shall be examined by him, the if he shall approve the same he shall so notify the said railway company of such approval, the thereupon said company may proceed to the erection of said bridge. The Secretary of War may direct such alterations in such plans as he may deem necessary

Alterations.

to the better protection of navigation, the such alterations shall be adopted by the said railway company. The said railway company may at any time make any alterations deemed advisable to be made in said bridge, but must first submit such proposed alterations to the Secretary of War, the his approval shall be first had before they shall be authorized or made.

Sec. 7.

That the said bridge herein authorized to be constructed shall

Aids to navigation.

be so kept the managed, at all times, as to afford proper ways the means for the passage of vessels, barges, or rafts under it, both by day the night. There shall be displayed on said bridge, from sunset to

Lights, etc.

sunrise, such lights the signals as may be directed by the Light-House Board, the such changes may be made, from time to time, in the structure of said bridge as the Secretary of War may direct, at. the expense of said railway, in order the more effectually to preserve the free navigation of said river, or the said structure shall be altogether removed, if, in the judgment of the Secretary of War, the public good may require such removal, the without expense or charge to the United States.

Sec. 8.

That this Act shall be null the void if actual construction of

Commencement the completion.

the bridge herein authorized be not commenced within one year the completed within three years from the date of the approval of this Act.

Sec. 9.

That the right to alter, amend, or repeal this Act is hereby

Amendment, etc.

specially reserved.