CHAP. 389.—An ACT to authorize the counties of Lancaster, Richmond, North-
umberland, Westmoreland, and Essex, and the city ot Richmond, or any
one or more of them, to enter into contracts for the construction of a toll
bridge across the Rappah: annock river; to authorize the issuance of bonds for
the construction of such bridge; to authorize the State highway commission
to take over and maintain such bridge as and for a part of the State highway
svstem upon certain conditions; and to authorize the political sub- divisions
aforesaid, instead of constructing such bridge themselves, to grant to any
private person, firm or corporation the right to construct, operate, and main-
tain the same upon the conditions herein named. [S B 418]

Approved March 20, 1924.

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That the
following political subdivisions of this State, viz., the counties of Lan-
easter, Richmond, Northumberland, W cstmoreland, and Essex, and the
city of Richmond, or any one or more of them, are hereby authorized
and empowered to enter into contracts (not in conflict with the Consti-
tution of Virginia) for the construction, operation and maintenance of
a suitable, substantial and permanent bridge across the Rappahannock
river, at or near the town of Tappahannock, thereby connecting the
countics of Essex and Richmond. ‘The plans and specifications for such
bridge shall be subject to the approval of the State highway commission.

2. ‘The political subdivision or subdivisions participating in the
construction of such bridge may borrow money and issue their severa.
bonds therefor to pay the costs of constructing the said bridge in whole
or in part. Such bonds shall be payable not exceeding fifty years fromm
the date thereof, shall bear interest at not exceeding six per centum per
annum, and shall be issued upon such terms and conditions as the par-
ticipating political subdivisions may determine, but shall not be sold
for less than par.

3. Whenever such bridge shall have been constructed and opened
for use by the public, the political sub-divisions constructing the same
shall have authority to establish a reasonable system of tolls for the use
thereof by the public.

4. The State highway commission is hereby given authority to take
over and maintain such bridge as and for a part of the State highway
system, at any time it may have sufficient funds for the purpose, upon
payment to the political subdivisions constructing the same the costs
of construction, engineering, maintenance, and interest charges, less the
amount of tolls collected to the date of such taking over.

5. Instead of acting under the preceding sections of this act, the
political subdivisions named in this act may, by unanimous consent,
grant to any private person, firm or corporation the right to construct,
operate and maintain such bridge, and any such person, firm or corpo-
ration to whom or to which such right may be granted, is hereby author-
ized to construct, operate, and maintain such bridge under the provi-
sions of the general laws of this State relating to toll bridges; provided,
that such right so granted shall be held in all respects subject to the
provisions of section four of this act, except that the payment therein
‘mentioned shall be made to the parties entitled thereto, and provided
further, that the plans and specifications for such bridge shall be subject
to the approval of the State highway commission.

6. Any action taken under this act by the counties herein mentioned
shall be taken through their boards of supervisors, and any action taken
under this act by the city of Richmond shall be taken through its council.