From the U.S. Code Online via GPO Access
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[Laws in effect as of January 3, 2006]
[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).