KBIA

Future of Boonville Bridge Uncertain COLUMBIA, MO (KBIA) - A 76-year-old Boonville landmark may soon be dismantled after years of debate. The future of the Boonville Bridge could be decided at a public hearing later this month. KBIA's Kevin Lewis reports.


The U.S. Coast Guard wants to tear down Boonville's historic rail bridge because it's currently unusable for transportation purposes. Yet many residents are against the bridge's destruction. They'd like to use the town's crown jewel as they call it, to bike and hike across the Missouri River on the Katy Trail.

Union Pacific Railroad owns the bridge.
For years the company's been looking at different options but decided the best choice was to tear down the bridge. Union Pacific spokesman Mark Davis says doing so would ease state-wide rail congestion and lower the cost of building a new bridge because the old materials would be recycled.

While we are willing to listen to the proposals, I think the Coast Guard by having this meeting wants the process to come to a conclusion. And we're working with them toward that end.

Both sides say they look forward to the public meeting and think participants will leave with a better understanding. The public hearing is set for September 30th at 6pm at The Isle of Capri Casino.
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