Public Law 70–290

That in order to facilitate international commerce, improve the postal service, and provide for military and other purposes, the B and P Bridge Company, its successors and assigns, be, and is hereby, authorized to construct, maintain, and operate a bridge and approaches thereto across the Rio Grande River, so far as the United States has jurisdiction over the waters of such river, at a point suitable to the

Construction.

Vol. 34, p. 84.

interests of navigation, at or near Zapata, Texas, in accordance with the provisions of the Act entitled “An Act to regulate the construction

Approval of Mexico required.

of bridges over navigable waters,” approved March 23, 1906, subject to the conditions and limitations contained in this Act, and subject to the approval of the proper authorities in Mexico.

Sec. 2.

There is hereby conferred upon the B and P Bridge Company, its successors and assigns, all such rights and powers to enter upon lands and to acquire, condemn, occupy, possess, and use real estate and other property in the State of Texas needed for the location, construction, operation, and maintenance of such bridge and its approaches, as are possessed by railroad corporations for railroad purposes or by bridge corporations for bridge purposes in the State of Texas, upon making just compensation therefor to be ascertained and

Condemnation proceedings.

paid according to the laws of such State, and the proceedings therefor shall be the same as in the condemnation or expropriation of property for public purposes in such State.

Sec. 3.

The said B and P Bridge Company, its successors and assigns, is hereby authorized to fix and charge tolls for transit over such bridge in accordance with any laws of Texas applicable thereto, and the rates of toll so fixed shall be the legal rates until changed by

Vol. 34, p. 85.

the Secretary of War under the authority contained in the Act of March 23, 1906.

Sec. 4.

The right to sell, assign, transfer, and mortgage all the rights, powers, and privileges conferred by this Act is hereby granted to the B and P Bridge Company, its successors and assigns, and any corporation to which or any person to whom such rights, powers, and privileges may be sold, assigned, or transferred, or who shall acquire the same by mortgage foreclosure or otherwise, is hereby authorized and empowered to exercise the same as fully as though conferred herein directly upon such corporation or person.

Sec. 5.

The right to alter, amend, or repeal this Act is hereby expressly reserved.