Sale of Seattle eastside rail line delayed

The Port of Seattle purchase of a 42-mile rail line between Snohomish and Renton has been delayed three months because of a weak market for municipal bonds.

Burlington Northern Santa Fe is selling the line for $107 million. The port will negotiate with a rail operator for short-haul freight service and a possible excursion train between Snohomish and wineries in Woodinville. King County plans to build hiking and biking trails on the line south of Woodinville.

A port spokeswoman, Charla Skaggs, told The Seattle Times it plans to borrow money from the bond market in early 2009.

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Information from: The Seattle Times, http://www.seattletimes.com

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