I-90 improvements, bridge replacement lands federal funding (passenger rail mentioned)

Passenger Rail also received funding, including $500,000 in seed funding for the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority and its acceptance into the Federal Railroad Administration 's Corridor Identification Program. Rail authority chairman and Missoula County Commissioner Dave Strohmaier said acceptance into the program also brings a commitment to future funds that will help push restoration closer to reality.

“With ridership on a restored North Coast Hiawatha line between Chicago and the West Coast estimated to be over 400,000 and projected economic benefits exceeding $270 million, restored passenger rail service constitutes an excellent return on our investment and would be a transformative project for our state,” Strohmaier said. Read more.