COLT Railroad Railbanking

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The City of Columbia is seeking community input regarding the proposed railbanking of the COLT Railroad from Rogers St. to East Brown Station Rd. The City of Columbia has owned and operated the COLT Railway from downtown Columbia to Centralia since 1987. Businesses along the 2.5-mile section of track from Rogers St. to East Brown Station Rd. have not used rail service for years. Railbanking is a process established by the federal government in 1983 to preserve out-of-service rail corridors and infrastructure for future reactivation. Please review the COLT Proposed Railbanking Fact Sheet in the documents section for additional information.

Please join us for one of the Open House meetings at City Hall, 701 E. Broadway, to learn more and share your thoughts. These will be held on Thursday, Feb. 12, from noon - 1 pm and 4:30 - 6:30 pm. in Conference Room 1A/1B.

Feedback will also be taken on this page through March 10. Following this, City staff will provide presentations to the appropriate City Boards and Commissions. They also will give a report to City Council, and there will be a public hearing at a City Council meeting. Dates for these are not finalized yet, but will be posted here once confirmed.

The City of Columbia is seeking community input regarding the proposed railbanking of the COLT Railroad from Rogers St. to East Brown Station Rd. The City of Columbia has owned and operated the COLT Railway from downtown Columbia to Centralia since 1987. Businesses along the 2.5-mile section of track from Rogers St. to East Brown Station Rd. have not used rail service for years. Railbanking is a process established by the federal government in 1983 to preserve out-of-service rail corridors and infrastructure for future reactivation. Please review the COLT Proposed Railbanking Fact Sheet in the documents section for additional information.

Please join us for one of the Open House meetings at City Hall, 701 E. Broadway, to learn more and share your thoughts. These will be held on Thursday, Feb. 12, from noon - 1 pm and 4:30 - 6:30 pm. in Conference Room 1A/1B.

Feedback will also be taken on this page through March 10. Following this, City staff will provide presentations to the appropriate City Boards and Commissions. They also will give a report to City Council, and there will be a public hearing at a City Council meeting. Dates for these are not finalized yet, but will be posted here once confirmed.

CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

What questions do you have about this project?

  • Share If this turns into a trail like so many others are suggesting, how would pedestrian safety be implemented in areas such as the crossing on College? on Facebook Share If this turns into a trail like so many others are suggesting, how would pedestrian safety be implemented in areas such as the crossing on College? on Twitter Share If this turns into a trail like so many others are suggesting, how would pedestrian safety be implemented in areas such as the crossing on College? on Linkedin Email If this turns into a trail like so many others are suggesting, how would pedestrian safety be implemented in areas such as the crossing on College? link

    If this turns into a trail like so many others are suggesting, how would pedestrian safety be implemented in areas such as the crossing on College?

    JosephT asked about 2 months ago

    Great question!  We're not at that stage in the planning process, but please be assured that we will work with MoDOT and traffic engineering consultants to ensure that people using all modes of transportation can travel in a safe manner. Janet Godon, planner

  • Share Will the I-70 expansion to 3 lanes cause the bridge to be demolished across the interstate and if so, who funds rebuilding it since it's a privately owned rail spur. I am all for this, but can't see supporting a short term trail, that could potentially be removed in a year or so, and then how do we ensure it's restored either as an attachment to Paris Rd or a separate structure. I assume Paris Rd bridge will also have to be redone based on the narrowness in that section and the width between bridge support beams too. on Facebook Share Will the I-70 expansion to 3 lanes cause the bridge to be demolished across the interstate and if so, who funds rebuilding it since it's a privately owned rail spur. I am all for this, but can't see supporting a short term trail, that could potentially be removed in a year or so, and then how do we ensure it's restored either as an attachment to Paris Rd or a separate structure. I assume Paris Rd bridge will also have to be redone based on the narrowness in that section and the width between bridge support beams too. on Twitter Share Will the I-70 expansion to 3 lanes cause the bridge to be demolished across the interstate and if so, who funds rebuilding it since it's a privately owned rail spur. I am all for this, but can't see supporting a short term trail, that could potentially be removed in a year or so, and then how do we ensure it's restored either as an attachment to Paris Rd or a separate structure. I assume Paris Rd bridge will also have to be redone based on the narrowness in that section and the width between bridge support beams too. on Linkedin Email Will the I-70 expansion to 3 lanes cause the bridge to be demolished across the interstate and if so, who funds rebuilding it since it's a privately owned rail spur. I am all for this, but can't see supporting a short term trail, that could potentially be removed in a year or so, and then how do we ensure it's restored either as an attachment to Paris Rd or a separate structure. I assume Paris Rd bridge will also have to be redone based on the narrowness in that section and the width between bridge support beams too. link

    Will the I-70 expansion to 3 lanes cause the bridge to be demolished across the interstate and if so, who funds rebuilding it since it's a privately owned rail spur. I am all for this, but can't see supporting a short term trail, that could potentially be removed in a year or so, and then how do we ensure it's restored either as an attachment to Paris Rd or a separate structure. I assume Paris Rd bridge will also have to be redone based on the narrowness in that section and the width between bridge support beams too.

    kaufmannjr asked about 1 month ago

    Hello! MoDOT's Improve I-70 Rocheport to Columbia Project addresses your questions.  Renderings of the bridges and intersections you mention are available on MoDOT's webpage. You can also leave comments and ask questions via the webform until Wednesday, March 25, at https://www.modot.org/projects/improvei70/rocheportcolumbia   - Janet Godon, planner

  • Share Do you have a contractor selected to remove the rail? If not, how would a company bid on that work? on Facebook Share Do you have a contractor selected to remove the rail? If not, how would a company bid on that work? on Twitter Share Do you have a contractor selected to remove the rail? If not, how would a company bid on that work? on Linkedin Email Do you have a contractor selected to remove the rail? If not, how would a company bid on that work? link

    Do you have a contractor selected to remove the rail? If not, how would a company bid on that work?

    KyleMiddleton asked 29 days ago

    Hello! City Council's decision on the proposed railbanking is the first step, followed by a decision on a rails-to-trails model or rails-with-trails. Review purchasing procedures, including registering for bid solicitations and opportunities, by visiting the City's website at https://www.como.gov/finance/vendors/ - Janet Godon, planner

Page last updated: 11 Mar 2026, 08:37 AM