Virginia Court Rules for Norfolk Southern in Case over Broadband Installation

Virginia court rules for Norfolk Southern in case over broadband installation

A Norfolk Southern container train passes through the village of Delaplane, where the rail line played a part in the Civil War Battle of Bull Run, on Oct. 8, 2023. A state Supreme Court ruling has found for NS in a case over broadband companies’ ability to build across rail lines. Michael S. Murray RICHMOND, Va. — Virginia’s Supreme Court has ruled in favor of Norfolk Southern in a fight over broadband companies’ ability to build across rail lin…

Virginia Supreme Court, examining new law, rules in railroad's favor against internet provider

A Virginia law meant to speed broadband deployment across railroad lines has hit its first guardrail, in the form of a state Supreme Court ruling.The court, drawing a distinction between a “public benefit” and a “public use,” ruled that Cox Communications cannot use the 2023 law to impose eminent domain on railways’ property while trying to reach the commonwealth’s more remote areas. Cox, a private, for-profit company, attempted to use the law t…