Judge OK's lawsuit settlement over freight trains
By Brent Ainsworth
Article Launched: 11/03/2008 04:43:40 PM PST

Feed for farm animals, building materials, wood products and cases of wine could be hauled on Novato's railroad tracks by the middle of next year after a judge Monday approved a lawsuit settlement.

Marin Superior Court Judge James Ritchie dismissed the suit filed by the city of Novato against the North Coast Rail Authority after both parties last week agreed to settle the case. Novato had sued the NCRA in 2007 over environmental issues.

Mitch Stogner of the NCRA said Monday that the company leasing the tracks, the Northwestern Pacific Railroad Co., will haul bulk goods such as rock, sand, gravel, wood and feed as well as some general merchandise such as wine.

First, the NCRA must repair and upgrade 62 miles of track that run from Windsor in Sonoma County south through Novato and east to Napa. Once the work is finished, trains will run through Novato at approximately 40 mph on no more than six one-way trips per week during daytime hours only.

Track and bridge repairs, upgrades and flood control work will take four to six months, Stogner said. More than 50,000 railroad ties and 60,000 tons of ballast for the tracks will be replaced. The NCRA is meeting this week to consider the awarding of contracts.

The freight trains will not stop in Novato, Stogner said.

As part of the lawsuit settlement, the NCRA agreed to install equipment and landscaping to ensure safety and make the railway as environmentally friendly as possible.