The Port of Columbia in Louisiana has received a $1 million state loan to help fund the construction of a new rail spur connecting its facilities to Union Pacific’s mainline network. The funds from Louisiana Economic Development’s FastSites program are meant to bridge a financing gap in the $7 million infrastructure project.
The port is situated on a 400-acre site approximately 30 miles south of Monroe, La., with direct access to the Ouachita River and U.S. Highway 165. It also is adjacent to Union Pacific’s Monroe Subdivision, positioning the facility to expand its freight transportation capacity with a direct link to the railroad’s main line.
The loan is on top of funding already secured from the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development and the federal government through the Delta Regional Authority’s Community Infrastructure Fund.
The additional investment is a big step forward to get the project into its construction stage for Columbia Port Commission President Darron McGuffee. “FastSites is the critical gap financing for rural ports, enabling infrastructure projects with committed funding to move from planning to implementation,” he said.
The state loan will also give the port more financial flexibility to keep up with its construction schedule, McGuffee said. The new rail spur will not only service the immediate project but also is expected to provide public access to Union Pacific’s main rail line to businesses across the region.
For companies already located in the area, the link could offer additional choices for freight transportation and make the area more attractive to new industrial investment. One potential beneficiary is Louisiana Green Fuels, which McGuffee mentioned as an example of the kind of industrial development the port hopes to attract.
State Senator Glen Womack also pointed out the larger economic effects the project will have. “Extending rail access to the Port of Columbia would provide businesses across Northeast Louisiana another option for moving goods and getting to markets,” Womack said. He added: “Better transport links would not only help existing businesses, but also create more opportunities for companies looking to invest in the region.
The project is now moving into the procurement stage and the port expects to release bids in November 2026. Construction is planned to begin in the first quarter of 2027 with completion expected in 2028.
When complete, the rail spur would add another freight connection to the port’s existing river and highway access, bolstering its potential role in regional logistics and future industrial development.
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