KALONA, Iowa — The I & M Link railroad of Milwaukee wants the lawsuit with the county to go to federal court and the Washington County attorney called the move a “plus” for the county, the Kalona News reported.
The suit, initiated by Washington County last year, is a contested case hearing to force the railroad to pay for part of replacement costs for four railroad bridges in the western half of the county.
The I & M move added the Iowa Department of Transportation as one of the defendants, something that Edmondson said “will allow the Iowa Attorney general’s office to become involved.” That involvement will help the county, she added, because it “bring more legal brain power” to the case.
Dave Patterson of the Washington County Engineer’s office called the move “a delaying tactic” on the part of the railroad, and told the Board of Supervisors Tuesday that “there is a 99 percent chance” that the county will win.
One of the four bridges was destroyed by arson early this year. The railroad has posted a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the arsonist. To date, no one has been charged in the case.