By AP/KWMU
Jefferson City, MO. – A judge ruled today for a state agency that gave up its interest in an old railroad bridge.
The attorney general's office sued the Department of Natural Resources last year over its decision to give up its interest in using an old bridge. Union Pacific wants to dismantle the bridge and use the steel elsewhere.
Attorney General Jay Nixon claims the state has a property right in the bridge, and only the Legislature can give it up. Even then, he says, the state would have to be compensated.
Today, Cole County Senior Judge Byron Kinder agreed with the agency that the state had no right to the bridge at this point. The decision is expected to be appealed.