State ex rel. Missouri Highway & Transportation Commission v. Rife

This is an appeal by the Missouri Highway and Transportation Commission from an order dismissing and terminating the proceedings for failure to prosecute. The Commission asserts the trial court abused its discretion because at the time motions to dismiss were filed, the Commission was actively prosecuting the case and taking steps toward a resolution on the merits.

The underlying proceedings are in the nature of exceptions to a commissioner’s award entered pursuant to condemnation activity necessitated by the Interstate 435 Highway project in Platte County, Missouri. The proceedings terminated…