Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 53 Part 2.djvu/863

 53 STAT.] 76TH CONG., 1ST SESS.-CH. 637-AUG. 10, 1939 Commission (hereinafter created, and hereinafter referred to as the "Commission"), and its successors and assigns be, and are hereby, authorized to construct, maintain, and operate a bridge and approaches thereto, across the Mississippi River at or near the city of Memphis, Tennessee, at a point suitable to the interest of naviga- tion, in accordance with the provisions of the Act entitled "An Act 34 Stat. 84. to regulate the construction of bridges over navigable waters", 498 U. S. 4C.91- approved March 23, 1906, subject to the conditions and limitations contained in this Act. SEC. 2. There is hereby conferred upon the Commission and its Right to acquire successors and assigns the right and power to enter upon such lands rel estate, etc. and to acquire, condemn, occupy, possess, and use such real estate and other property in the State of Arkansas and the State of Tennessee, as may be needed for the location, construction, operation, and main- tenance of any such bridge and its approaches, upon making just compensation therefor, to be ascertained and paid according to the laws of the State in which such real estate or other property is situated, and the proceedings therefor shall be the same as in the condemnation of private property for public purposes in said State, respectively. The Commission, its successors, and assigns are further authorized to enter into agreements with the States of Arkansas and Tennessee, and any political subdivision thereof, for the acquisition, lease, or use of any lands or property owned by such State or political subdivision. SEC. 3. The Commission and its successors and assigns are hereby fiCotedrt thaco authorized to provide for the payment of the cost of such bridge as missions, etc., for aid may be constructed, as provided herein, and approaches (including 'financing project. the approach highways which, in the judgment of the Commission, it is necessary or advisable to construct or cause to be constructed to provide suitable and adequate connection with existing improved highways) and the necessary lands, easements, and appurtenances thereto by negotiating and entering into a contract or contracts with the State Highway Commission of Tennessee, the State Highway Commission of Arkansas, Shelby County, Tennessee, Crittenden County, Arkansas, the city of Memphis, Tennessee, or any other county or municipality in the States of Arkansas and Tennessee, whereby the Commission may receive financial aid in financing said project, and said Commission, in its discretion, may avail itself of all the facilities of the State Highway Commission of Tennessee, the State Highway Commission of the State of Arkan- sas, or any county or municipality in the State of Tennessee and the State of Arkansas, with regard to the construction of said bridge, and the Commission may make and enter into any contract or contracts which it deems expedient and proper with the State Highway Com- mission of the State of Tennessee, the State Highway Commission of the State of Arkansas, or any county or municipality in the State of Tennessee and the State of Arkansas, whereby said highway departments, municipalities, or counties, or either of them, may con- struct, operate, and maintain, or participate with the Commission in the construction, operation, and maintenance of said bridge con- structed hereunder, and approaches thereto. It is hereby declared to be the purpose of Congress to facilitate the construction of a bridge and proper approaches across the Mississippi River at or near Mem- phis, Tennessee, and to authorize the Commission to promote said object and purpose, with full power to contract with either the State Highway Commission of Tennessee, the State Highway Commission of Arkansas, or any municipality or county in the States of Tennes- see and Arkansas, or all of them, in relation to the construction, operation, and maintenance of said bridge and approaches. 98907-39 --PrT 2-53 1339

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