Tacoma News TribuneTri-City Railroad Co. filed a lawsuit Wednesday against the Port of Benton [Washington state] for refusing to recognize its exclusive rights to use a 16-mile rail line, which caused a significant financial loss to the company.
The railroad and the port signed a 30-year agreement in 2002 for the leasing rights of the rail line and parts of the 1171 building located in north Richland.
That agreement to operate and maintain the track gives Tri-City Railroad the exclusive rights of use, said Nicholas D. Kovarik, an attorney for the company. The lawsuit was filed in Benton County Superior Court.
The port contends the agreement with Tri-City Railroad is about maintenance and operation of the track, said Scott Keller, the port's executive director. It doesn't grant the company any exclusive track rights, he said.
Last year, BNSF Railway Co. began to service its clients along the track directly, without using the services Tri-City Railroad had been providing to BNSF since 2000 for a fee.
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