The Columbia Utilities director says a planned $4-million improvement project on the COLT railroad will increase the resiliency and capacity of the railway.
City of Columbia Utilities has received a $3.2 million federal grant for COLT railroad infrastructure improvements. The city of Columbia is providing an $800,000 match. City Utilities director David Sorrell says the $4-million project will improve eight miles of track, over ten sections. The city plans to upgrade the current 90-pound rail with 115-pound rail, replacing defective railroad ties and making surface upgrades.
The city of Columbia’s website says COLT railroad’s five-year direct impact accounts for about $670-million in sales, 243 jobs and more than $2-million in tax revenue for the city and Boone County.
