Title 33, Navigation and Navigable WatersRelease 119-102
§535 Congressional Consent to Construction, Maintenance, and Operation of International Bridges; Conditions of Consent
Title 33 › CHAPTER 11 — BRIDGES OVER NAVIGABLE WATERS › SUBCHAPTER IV — INTERNATIONAL BRIDGES › § 535
Summary
Congress permits "international bridges"—bridges that link the U.S. and a foreign country—to be built, maintained, and run, and allows tolls where the U.S. has jurisdiction. Permission only applies if the foreign country approves and the bridge follows sections 491–494 and 495–498 (except 496) and subchapter rules.
Full Legal Text
Title 33, §535
Navigation and Navigable Waters, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
The consent of Congress is hereby granted to the construction, maintenance, and operation of any bridge and approaches thereto, which will connect the United States with any foreign country (hereinafter in this subchapter referred to as an “international bridge”) and to the collection of tolls for its use, so far as the United States has jurisdiction. Such consent shall be subject to (1) the approval of the proper authorities in the foreign country concerned; (2) the provisions of sections 491 to 494 and 495 to 498 of this title, except section 496 of this title, whether or not such bridge is to be built across or over any of the navigable waters of the United States; and (3) of the provisions of this subchapter.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Short Title
Pub. L. 92–434, § 1, Sept. 26, 1972, 86 Stat. 731, provided: “That this Act [enacting this subchapter and amending section 129 of Title 23, Highways] may be cited as the ‘International Bridge Act of 1972’.”
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
33 U.S.C. § 535
Title 33, Navigation and Navigable Waters
Last Updated
Aug 21, 2026
Release point: 119-102