Title 33 — Navigation and Navigable WatersRelease 119-73
§535c Approval of Secretary; commencement and completion requirements; extension of time limits
Title 33 › Chapter CHAPTER 11— - BRIDGES OVER NAVIGABLE WATERS › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER IV— - INTERNATIONAL BRIDGES › § 535c
Summary
The Secretary who oversees the Coast Guard can only approve a bridge after the President has already approved it, as the law requires. That approval is void unless construction starts within two years and finishes within five years from the date of the Secretary’s approval. The Secretary may extend one or both deadlines for a reasonable time if a good reason is shown.
Full Legal Text
Title 33, §535c
Navigation and Navigable Waters — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
The approval of the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating, as required by section 491 of this title, shall be given only subsequent to the President’s approval, as provided for in section 535b of this title, and shall be null and void unless the construction of the bridge is commenced within two years and completed within five years from the date of the Secretary’s approval: Provided, however, That the Secretary, for good cause shown, may extend for a reasonable time either or both of the time limits herein provided.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2016—Pub. L. 114–120 substituted “Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating” for “Secretary of Transportation”.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
33 U.S.C. § 535c
Title 33 — Navigation and Navigable Waters
Last Updated
Apr 6, 2026
Release point: 119-73