Seattle port to negotiate for East Corridor freight operations

Seattle port to negotiate for East Corridor freight operations The Port of Seattle said it would begin negotiations with railroad partnership GNP/Ballard for short line freight service operation on the northern portion of the port's Eastside rail corridor, according to a port release Wednesday.
   GNP/Ballard, a partnership between the operator of Seattle short-haul Ballard Terminal Railroad and the owner of GNP Railway, will pay the port for use of the corridor, which runs from Snohomish and Woodinville, the release said.
   The Port of Seattle said it is acquiring the corridor for $107 million from Class I railroad BNSF, who selected the short line operator.
   Any contract between the port and GNP/Ballard will not be finalized until transfer of the corridor is complete, the release said. The port also said it would have to conduct a public process to gain input on how local citizens would like to see the rail corridor used.
   According to the port, King County will contribute $2 million toward the purchase price in return for an easement for public trail development on the southern segment of the corridor.
   The U.S. Surface Transportation Board is expected to grant approval before the end of the year, the port said.