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Louisiana Port of Columbia Secures $1M State Loan for Union Pacific Rail Connection

Louisiana Economic Development has awarded a $1 million loan to the Port of Columbia to fund a new rail spur connecting to Union Pacific's main line. The FastSites program granted the loan to fill a funding gap on the $7 million infrastructure project. The port sits on 400 acres near Monroe with direct Ouachita River access and has already secured backing from the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development and federal Community Infrastructure Fund dollars. Port Commission President Darron McGuffee said the state financing enables construction to proceed on schedule while positioning the facility to attract industrial investment. The project opens rail access to UP's network for Northeast Louisiana shippers. Bidding is expected in November, with construction beginning in first quarter 2027 and completion targeted for 2028.