§ 511. — Definitions.
[Laws in effect as of January 24, 2002]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
January 24, 2002 and December 19, 2002]
[CITE: 33USC511]
TITLE 33--NAVIGATION AND NAVIGABLE WATERS
CHAPTER 11--BRIDGES OVER NAVIGABLE WATERS
SUBCHAPTER II--ALTERATION OF BRIDGES
Sec. 511. Definitions
When used in this subchapter, unless the context indicates
otherwise--
The term ``alteration'' includes changes of any kind,
reconstruction, or removal in whole or in part.
The term ``bridge'' means a lawful bridge over navigable waters of
the United States, including approaches, fenders, and appurtenances
thereto, which is used and operated for the purpose of carrying railroad
traffic, or both railroad and highway traffic, or if a State, county,
municipality, or other political subdivision is the owner or joint owner
thereof, which is used and operated for the purpose of carrying highway
traffic.
The term ``bridge owner'' means any State, county, municipality, or
other political subdivision, or any corporation, association,
partnership, or individual owning, or jointly owning, any bridge, and,
when any bridge shall be in the possession or under the control of any
trustee, receiver, trustee in a case under title 11, or lessee, such
terms shall include both the owner of the legal title and the person or
the entity in possession or control of such bridge.
The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of Transportation.
The term ``United States'', when used in a geographical sense,
includes the Territories and possessions of the United States.
(June 21, 1940, ch. 409, Sec. 1, 54 Stat. 497; July 16, 1952, ch. 889,
Sec. 1, 66 Stat. 732; Pub. L. 95-598, title III, Sec. 323, Nov. 6, 1978,
92 Stat. 2679; Pub. L. 97-449, Sec. 2(d)(2), Jan. 12, 1983, 96 Stat.
2440.)
Amendments
1983--Pub. L. 97-449 substituted provision that the term
``Secretary'' means the Secretary of Transportation for provision that
it meant the Secretary of War acting directly or through the Chief of
Engineers.
1978--Pub. L. 95-598 substituted in definition of ``bridge owner''
the phrase ``trustee in a case under title 11'' for ``trustee in
bankruptcy''.
1952--Act of July 16, 1952, redefined ``bridge'' and ``bridge
owner''.
Effective Date of 1978 Amendment
Amendment by Pub. L. 95-598 effective Oct. 1, 1979, see section
402(a) of Pub. L. 95-598, set out as an Effective Dates note preceding
section 101 of Title 11, Bankruptcy.
Short Title
Sections 511 to 523 of this title are popularly known as the ``Hobbs
Bridge Act'' and also as the ``Truman-Hobbs Act''.
Transfer of Functions
Section 6(g)(3) of Pub. L. 89-670 transferred functions, powers, and
duties of Secretary of the Army [formerly War] and other officers and
offices of Department of the Army [formerly War] relating to obstructive
bridges under this subchapter to Secretary of Transportation. Pub. L.
97-449 amended this section to reflect transfer made by section 6(g)(3)
of Pub. L. 89-670, and repealed section 6(g)(3).
