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Last week, the Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet) filed a lawsuit against Clackamas County in an effort to require county officials to follow through on a commitment to the Portland-Milwaukie light-rail project.

Filed in Clackamas County Circuit Court, the lawsuit seeks a declaratory judgment and expedited consideration, and asks the court to retain jurisdiction to supervise the county's participation in the project until work is completed, TriMet officials said in a press release.

The suit was filed after the county delayed moving forward on final property acquisitions and $1.3 million in road and signal improvements. Construction on the 7.3-mile project is about 35 percent completed.

"Unfortunately, we have to take this action to prevent delays that could impact the overall cost and schedule of the project," said TriMet Chief Media Relations Officer Mary Fetsch.

TriMet officials noted that the county partnered with the agency to advance the project over the years, enabling its design, construction and property acquisitions to proceed.

"However, since the November election, that cooperation has dissolved," TriMet officials said.