Chap. 124.—An ACT to authorize Albemarle and Buckingham counties to
erect, build and construct a bridge across James river at Hatton, Vir-
ginia, either at the point where a ferry is now being operated or within
one mile thereof, and to maintain and operate the same as a free bridge,
and to issue bonds for that purpose. [S B 358]

Approved March 9, 1918.

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That the
counties of Albemarle and Buckingham be, and they are, hereby
authorized and empowered to erect, build and construct a bridge
suitable for the passage of wagons and other vehicles across James
river, at Hatton, Virginia, either at the point where a ferry is now
being operated or within one mile thereof, and thereafter to main-
tain and operate said bridge as a free bridge, and, upon the applica-
tion of one or more citizens of each respective county, the respective
boards of supervisors shall, if deemed advisable by such boards of
supervisors, appoint three commissioners from each of said coun-
ties, who shall be freeholders and qualified voters of the county so
making such appointment, and the six commissioners so appointed
shall together constitute a commission, all or a majority of whom
may act, and said commission shall ascertain and report to the
boards of supervisors of each of said counties at what cost and
on what terms the said bridge can be erected, built and constructed
by said counties, and what sums will be necessary to be appropriated
by each of said counties for that purpose, and what sums, if any, can
probably be raised by subscriptions of private individuals, firms or
corporations for that purpose, and said commissioners shall like-
wise inquire and report to said boards of supervisors the advantages
and disadvantages that will result to said counties should said
bridge be so erected, built and constructed, and whether or not, in
the opinion of said commission, it is advisable and expedient for
the said counties to so erect and build and construct and maintain
said bridge, and their reasons therefor.

And the board of supervisors of either or both of said counties
shall, if deemed advisable by such board, upon like application,
appoint a special commissioner, or commissioners, for the purpose
of soliciting, contracting for and collecting subscriptions or dona-
tions to be used in aiding said counties in erecting and building
and constructing and paying for said.bridge, and any contract
made with any such commissioner or commissioners for any such
subscription or donation shall be binding upon the party agreeing
to make such subscription or donation, and such contract shall be
enforceable and collectible by suit or motion for that purpose in
the name or names of the commissioner or commissioners with
whom the same is made for the benefit of said counties, and said
special commissioner or commissioners shall not receive any com-
pensation from said counties, and shall report to the board of
supervisors of the county by whom he or they are appointed, and
file with said board all contracts for any such subscriptions or
donations, and such subscriptions or donations may be made pay-
able at such time or times as the board of supervisors appointing
such special commissioner may direct; and the board of supervisors
of said counties shall have the right and power to use all such sub-
scriptions or donations, in addition to such sums as the respective
counties may appropriate, in erecting and building and constructing
and paying for said bridge.

2. After it has been so ascertained at what price and on what
terms said bridge can be erected and built and constructed, should
the boards of supervisors of either of said counties determine that it
is expedient and advisable to erect, construct and build said bridge,
it shall further determine what amount will be appropriated by it
for that purpose, and shall certify its action to the board of super-
visors of the other of said counties, together with the statement of
such amount as can be raised by subscriptions or donations for that
purpose, and should the board of supervisors of the other of said
counties likewise determine that it 1s expedient and advisable to
erect, build and construct said bridge, it shall likewise further deter-
mine what amount will be appropriated by it for that purpose.

The determination to erect the proceeding for that purpose, the
requisition of the land necessary and the amount of the expenditure
necessary for the construction of said bridge, and the proportions
thereof to be paid by each county participating in its construction,
shall be determined and had, as provided by chapter one hundred
and six of the Acts of Assembly of Virginia of nineteen hundred
and four, approved March twelfth, nineteen hundred and four, as
amended, as far as the same are applicable thereto and are not in
conflict with the provisions of this act, and the board of super-
visers of either of said counties may proceed, as provided by sub-
divisions twenty-four and twenty-five of that chapter, and proceed -
mgs may be instituted and prosecuted under said sub-divisions
twenty-four and twenty-five of said chapter against either of the
said counties.

8. For the purpose of raising the money, or any part thereof,
to be appropriated by said counties, respectively, for the paying for
said bridge, each of said counties of Albemarle and Buckingham is
hereby authorized through its board of supervisors to issue its regis-
tered or coupon bonds for the respective amount to be raised by each
county, or any part thereof, bearing interest at a rate not greater
than six per centum per annum, payable semi-annually, which bonds
shall be issued by the board of supervisors of each respective county,
and shall be signed by the chairman and attested by the clerk of
such board of supervisors, and shall be in such denominations and
payable at such: time or times as the board of supervisors of the
county issuing the same may direct. And it shall not be necessary
to hold any election, or to open any poll to take the sense of the
qualified voters of either of said counties, on the question of issuing
said bonds, but the same shall be issued as herein provided without
holding any such election and without opening any poll to take
the sense of the qualified voters.

4. The board of supervisors of either or both of said counties,
in addition to issuing said bonds, are hereby authorized and em-
powered to use and apply, in erecting, building, constructing and
paying for said bridge, any sum or sums, or any part thereof, which
said counties, or either of them, may have heretofore received, or
become entitled to receive, or may hereafter receive, or become en-
titled to receive, from any funds or moneys heretofore or hereafter
appropriated by the State of Virginia for the improvement of public
roads or bridges.

5. The contract for the erection, building and construction of
said bridge shall be let as provided by chapter forty-three of the
Acts of the Assembly, nineteen hundred and ten, and by the general
laws of Virginia concerning the same. The bids for said bridge
shall be called for on the superstructure and substructure separately,
and also both together, the said bids to be received and opened at
the county seat of one of the said counties. All plans, specifications
and contracts for such work shall be concurred in by the board road
authorities and the State highway commissioner.

6. All acts and parts of acts inconsistent or in conflict with this
act are hereby repealed.