A lawsuit brought by property owners along an abandoned Lowcountry rail line has been settled for $33 million.
BEAUFORT, S.C. (AP) -- A lawsuit brought by property owners along an abandoned Lowcountry rail line has been settled for $33 million.
The Beaufort Gazette reports the suit concerned property rights on the line between Port Royal and Yemassee.
In the suit, 260 property owners sued saying easements should have been returned to them when the line was abandoned. Instead the State Ports Authority sold the line and property access rights to the Beaufort-Jasper Water and Sewer Authority which has large pipes along the right of way.
Attorney Tom Stewart of Kansas City says property owners will receive payments ranging from $5,000 to $1 million.
The Water and Sewer Authority is working with local governments to create a walking and bike trail along the right of way.
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