Luzerne County plans to sell its 55-mile rail line after a $10M bid, despite a lawsuit over a $3.28M loan.

The Luzerne County Redevelopment Authority moved forward with plans to publicly solicit offers for its 55-mile rail line, authorizing a team to gather valuation data and prepare proposals, following an unsolicited $10 million bid from Reading & Northern Railroad to expand freight and passenger excursions. The authority committed to a transparent process despite initial hesitation about private ownership. Meanwhile, a lawsuit filed by county council seeks immediate repayment of a $3.28 million loan, which the authority and its partner, Rail Corp., say is not due until October 2026. The county aims to transfer control to encourage private investment in freight and tourism.