Officials to Open New Missouri Rail Bridge

OSAGE CITY, Mo. (AP) — A new railroad bridge east of Missouri's capital city is opening with hopes of clearing the final major bottleneck for train traffic between St. Louis and Jefferson City.

The new bridge crossing the Osage River in Osage City is opening next week. The bridge is intended to improve both freight and passenger rail service in Missouri.

Officials from the Federal Railroad Administration, the Missouri Department of Transportation, Union Pacific and Amtrak are among those planning to attend the official opening.

Ridership on Amtrak's Missouri River Runner passenger trains between Kansas City and St. Louis has increased in six consecutive years.