Title 33, Navigation and Navigable WatersRelease 119-102

§513 Notice, Hearings, and Findings

Title 33 › CHAPTER 11 — BRIDGES OVER NAVIGABLE WATERS › SUBCHAPTER II — ALTERATION OF BRIDGES › § 513

Last updated Aug 21, 2026|Official source

Summary

When the Secretary thinks a bridge is blocking navigation too much, the Secretary must notify interested people and hold a hearing. The bridge owner, people who use or care about water navigation, those with railroad or highway interests, and others may give evidence and speak about whether and what changes are needed. If the Secretary finds changes are needed to let boats pass without undue blockage while also considering traffic needs, the Secretary must make a finding and send an order requiring the necessary changes.

Full Legal Text

Title 33, §513

Navigation and Navigable Waters, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

Whenever any bridge shall, in the opinion of the Secretary, at any time unreasonably obstruct such navigation, it shall be the duty of the Secretary, after notice to interested parties, to hold a hearing at which the bridge owner, those interested in water navigation thereunder or therethrough, those interested in either railroad or highway traffic thereover, and any other party or parties in interest shall have full opportunity to offer evidence and be heard as to whether any alteration of such bridge is needed, and if so what alterations are needed, having due regard to the necessity of free and unobstructed water navigation and to the necessities of the rail or highway traffic. If, upon such hearing, the Secretary determines that any alterations of such bridge are necessary in order to render navigation through or under it reasonably free, easy, and unobstructed, having due regard also for the necessities of rail or highway traffic thereover, he shall so find and shall issue and cause to be served upon interested parties an order requiring such alterations of such bridge as he finds to be reasonably necessary for the purposes of navigation.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

33 U.S.C. § 513

Title 33, Navigation and Navigable Waters

Last Updated

Aug 21, 2026

Release point: 119-102