Missouri Department of Natural Resources Director Doyle Childers says he’s pleased a circuit judge has ruled in his favor in the dispute over the Boonville bridge, but isn’t sure whether the litigation is over. A judge has ruled the state has no ownership rights in the bridge and should allow Union Pacific to dismantle it. Childers denies the charge made in the lawsuit that the bridge is vital to extending the Katy Trail. Childers says the state doesn’t want ownership of the birdge, because it would have to assume the liability that comes with ownership. Union Pacific says it wants to tear down the bridge and use it elsewhere. The judge’s ruling will likely be appealed.
