Columbia’s COLT Railroad awarded $16.2 million federal grant for modernization

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The City of Columbia has been awarded $16.2 million in federal funding to modernize the Columbia Terminal Railroad, including a project to test self-driving trains.

U.S. Rep. Mark Alford (R-Raymore) announced the Federal Railroad Administration grant Thursday. The grant, awarded through the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements program, will support upgrades to the 21.4-mile COLT railroad connecting Columbia and Centralia.

The total cost of the COLT Railroad Modernization Program is $20.8 million. The remaining $4.62 million will come from the City of Columbia and private-sector partners, according to Alford’s office.

The project plan includes self-propelled autonomous railcars and a Federal Railroad Administration-approved test program. The program would move in phases, with eventual demonstrations of the self-driving technology. The project summary says those demonstrations would take place across 57 at-grade crossings.

A Department of Transportation spokesperson said the work will include research and workforce development for the phased rail technology program. The office also said the grant money has been awarded, but the funds will be sent at a later date. It did not provide a timeline for that step.

The project also calls for installing 36,000 composite rail ties, tamping about six miles of track, replacing three switches and building two charging units. It would create a training curriculum for remote operators, field engineers and maintenance technicians. DOT said the project is intended to stabilize the track, increase service frequency and ultimately support autonomous freight service.

Alford’s office described the project as the first documented demonstration of autonomous railcar operations on a regulated short-line railroad in the United States. It also said the corridor generates $670 million in sales and supports 243 jobs.

“The COLT railroad is a critical economic lifeline for Mid-Missouri,” Alford said in the news release, citing its role connecting manufacturers, agricultural producers and building-material suppliers to the national freight network.

The release and DOT’s response did not specify where testing would begin or when construction or operations would start.

The COLT line operates freight service between Columbia and Centralia and interchanges with the Norfolk Southern Railroad, according to the City of Columbia's website. The line generally runs along Route B to Hallsville and along Highway 124 to Centralia.