JEFFERSON CITY — The state of Missouri and an Ameren subsidiary have until New Years Eve to come to an agreement over the future of a 144-mile former rail line that parks boosters would like to turn into a biking trail.

The U.S. Surface Transportation Board on Tuesday allowed the Missouri Department of Natural Resources to keep negotiating with Missouri Central Railroad over an Interim Trail Use Agreement.

The extension comes after the two sides asked for an extension in January that would allow negotiations to continue until August. Gov. Mike Parson last month signed legislation creating an endowment that would fund park development in lieu of taxpayer dollars.

Because of this, there is progress in negotiations, Missouri State Parks representatives said in a news release issued Wednesday.