Washington State Highway Commission v. Pacific Northwest Bell Telephone Co.

Franchises to permit the construction of utility facilities on the right of way of secondary state highway No. 5-A were gratuitously granted by the Washington State Highway Commission to Pacific Telephone and Telegraph Company (now Pacific Northwest Bell Telephone Company), Puget Sound Power and Light Company, and King County Water District No. 75. The franchises provided, inter alia, that the donees would move their facilities at their expense “Whenever necessary for the construction, repair, improvement, alteration or relocation of” the highway.

Pursuant to the Federal-Aid Highway Act of…