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The Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority (BSPRA), in its efforts to revitalize passenger rail service to southern Montana and beyond, reached another milestone after the Billings City Council recently voted in favor of joining the BSPRA as a municipal partner. The Authority boasts 20 member counties, in addition to three tribal nations, BNSF, Montana DOT and Amtrak as ex officio members.

Per the Montana law that allowed for BSPRA’s creation, only counties may join as voting members of the Authority. However the BSPRA is very pleased to welcome Billings to the table to assist in the effort to restore passenger rail service to the city and across the region.

“We are very pleased to welcome the City of Billings, marking yet another exciting step for the Authority. Montanans from all walks of life are uniting to see passenger rail service restored to southern Montana for the economic and social benefits it will bring to all communities – both urban and rural,” said BSPRA Chairman Dave Strohmaier. “Folks understand the value of being a part of the planning process for Montana rail services and that we are more than just passenger rail. We are infrastructure, we are ag shipping, transportation, tourism, and access to healthcare. We want everyone along this route to be part of the major planning underway, and hope others will get on board.”

“Billings was founded as a rail hub and played a leadership role in rail in Montana,” said Billings Mayor Bill Cole. “Our community and people want to be part of this process of restoring and bringing connectivity via passenger rail to Billings, Yellowstone County and the region.”

“I am excited the City of Billings is now a part of the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority and supporting its important work! The Authority has been an effective advocate for restoring passenger rail service to our fair community and even introducing a new route to Denver. Like myself, many residents in Billings want both the safety and convenience of rail travel to connect us to other cities in Montana and beyond, and we want to be a part of bringing this proposal to fruition, “ said Billings City Council Member Ed Gulick.

Attached is the City of Billings letter of support for the restoration of passenger rail to southern Montana and beyond sent to the Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration, Amit Bose.

ABOUT THE BIG SKY PASSENGER RAIL AUTHORITY (BSPRA)

The Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority is a subdivision of state government and the largest transportation district in Montana. It was formed to re-establish safe, reliable, and sustainable passenger rail service across southern Montana and comprises 20 member counties and ex officio membership of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai, Crow, and Northern Cheyenne tribes, Amtrak, Montana Department of Transportation, and BNSF Railway. Passenger rail service through southern Montana ended 43 years ago with the loss of Amtrak’s North Coast Hiawatha and the BSPRA believes that together we can bring it back. Learn more at bigskyrail.org.

For questions or interview requests, please contact BSPRA Chairman Dave Strohmaier at 406.529.5580 or dstrohmaier@bigskyrail.org; or BSPRA Executive Director Jess Peterson at jess@wssdc.com or by phone at 406.850.1592.

BILLINGS, MT

The Federal Government will provide $500,000 in seed money to help kick-start construction of Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority’s (BSPRA) North Coast Hiawatha route revitalization between Chicago and Seattle/Portland and connecting communities like Fargo, Bismarck, Billings, Bozeman, and Missoula. Formerly known as the North Coast Hiawatha, and before that the North Coast Limited, the route existed from the 1890s through the late 1970s when cuts to Amtrak ended the service. According to the Federal Railroad Administration, BSPRA “would enter Step 1 of the program to develop a scope, schedule, and cost estimate for preparing, completing, or documenting its service development plan.”

BSPRA’s inclusion in this program also brings with it a commitment to additional major federal funds over the coming years as the project moves closer to reality. BSPRA Chairman, Dave Strohmaier, believes this project will transform the economy and quality of life in Montana more than any other single project in recent memory, and will serve to revitalize rural and tribal communities. It is important to note that this project is the only new long-distance route among the 69 Corridor ID routes announced today, and at 2,200 miles is by far the longest new route being funded.

Today’s announcement also addresses Amtrak's rail infrastructure in and around Malta, MT, along the Empire Builder route, which will soon see upgrades thanks to the $14.9 million newly secured for the project through the Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Grant Program. BSPRA and Amtrak were co-applicants in securing these funds which reflects BSPRA’s commitment to maintaining a strong Empire Builder and efficient freight operations along Montana’s Hi-Line.

There are many to thank who have been instrumental in our achievements to date, including Senator Jon Tester who helped write and pass the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the 20 member counties of BSPRA, our 17 municipal partners, 3 tribal councils, BNSF, Montana DOT, and Amtrak. We have also been bolstered and supported by our major business partners and sponsors including Xplorer Maps, Clearwater Credit Union, Siemens, KLJ Engineering, and all the individual donors and citizen volunteers who tirelessly support our efforts. The Montana Healthcare Foundation, Pacific Northwest Economic Region (PNWR), and MSU Extension have been instrumental collaborators and advocates. Strohmaier noted, “We are grateful for the broad community support from within Montana and beyond, which helped ensure that the North Coast Hiawatha would be selected for development by the Federal Railroad Administration.”

As part of the Corridor ID study efforts, BSPRA will be inviting state, local, and tribal governments in Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, Idaho, Washington, and Oregon to consult in the planning process for the route. BSPRA will also welcome new member counties and municipal partners who will want to be involved in the decision-making. More announcements will be forthcoming over the next week.

“It should be clear from looking at both the Corridor ID selections and Federal-State Partnership beneficiaries that the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority is making a significant impact in a VERY short time. The developments going on across the country are mostly in states that touch oceans or are among the 15 largest states. We are thrilled to represent the Greater Northwest, which has been underserved by public transportation for far too long,” said Chairman Strohmaier. “It’s about time that the rural American West is reflected in federal passenger rail investments.”

ABOUT THE BIG SKY PASSENGER RAIL AUTHORITY (BSPRA)

The Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority is a subdivision of the state government and the largest transportation district in Montana. It was formed to re-establish safe, reliable, and sustainable passenger rail service across southern Montana and comprises 20 member counties and ex officio membership of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai, Crow, and Northern Cheyenne tribes, Amtrak, Montana Department of Transportation, and BNSF Railway. Passenger rail service through southern Montana ended 43 years ago with the loss of Amtrak’s North Coast Hiawatha and the BSPRA believes that together we can bring it back. Learn more at bigskyrail.org.

For questions or interview requests, please contact BSPRA Chairman Dave Strohmaier at 406.529.5580 or dstrohmaier@bigskyrail.org; or BSPRA Executive Director Jess Peterson at jess@wssdc.com or by phone at 406.850.1592.

U.S. Department of Transportation’s Build America Bureau awarded the Pacific Northwest Economic Region (PNWER) a grant to continue advancing infrastructure development through its five-state Regional Infrastructure Accelerator (RIA) and will use the grant funding to deliver value in Alaska, Montana, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington.

Specifically, BSPRA, as a grant sub-recipient, will work with PNWER RIA on the following projects:

· Research feasibility and economic case for renewing Amtrak small parcel delivery service as an economic driver for rural and tribal communities along the Great Northern (Empire Builder) and North Coast Hiawatha (southern Montana) corridors.

· Analyze track along the Amtrak Empire Builder corridor to identify small to medium track improvement projects that—if bundled—would co-benefit freight and passenger rail service. Grade separation projects and opportunities for transit-oriented development near passenger rail stations are major areas of focus.

· Analyze track from Sandpoint, ID, to Glendive, MT, along proposed Amtrak North Coast Hiawatha route to identify small to medium track improvement projects for enhanced freight and passenger rail service and identify funding opportunities that promote safety and/or economic development opportunities for rural communities and tribal nations.

“These funds will further our work both in southern Montana and also along the Empire Builder route, to the benefit of both freight and passenger operations,” said BSPRA Chairman Dave Strohmaier. “This is a great example of how working together at a regional scale, with the sweat equity and financial support of partners, is moving this train down the tracks.”

“The RIA grant will continue to allow the PNWER Accelerator to leverage public and private talent and financial resources to fast track key transportation projects in five states,” noted PNWER RIA Director Bruce Agnew. “We look forward to supporting the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority.”

ABOUT PNWER

The Pacific NorthWest Economic Region (PNWER) is a public/private non-profit organization created by statute in 1991. Member jurisdictions include Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Montana, and Washington, and the Canadian provinces and territories of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, the Northwest Territories, and Yukon. PNWER's mission is to increase the economic well-being and quality of life for all citizens of the region; identify and promote "models of success; and serve as a conduit to exchange information. For more information on PNWER, visit www.pnwer.org.

ABOUT PNWER RIA

Initiated in 2021, the PNWER RIA serves as a convener for transportation projects in the region, specifically multi-state and multi-jurisdictional initiatives with multi-modal and region-wide benefits. Funded through U.S. DOT’s Build America Bureau, the PNWER RIA helps identify Public-Private Partnerships (P3s) and federal financing opportunities to accelerate the delivery of transportation projects with region-wide benefits that ease supply chain disruptions, reduce transportation-related pollution, and increase economic and environmental justice, especially for historically underserved communities. For more information, visit www.pnwer.org/ria.

ABOUT THE BIG SKY PASSENGER RAIL AUTHORITY (BSPRA)

The Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority is a subdivision of state government and the largest transportation district in Montana. It was formed to re-establish safe, reliable, and sustainable passenger rail service across southern Montana and comprises 20 member counties and ex officio membership of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai, Crow, and Northern Cheyenne tribes, Amtrak, Montana Department of Transportation, and BNSF Railway. Passenger rail service through southern Montana ended 43 years ago with the loss of Amtrak’s North Coast Hiawatha and the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority believes that together we can bring it back. Learn more at bigskyrail.org.

For questions or interview requests, please contact BSPRA Chairman Dave Strohmaier at 406.529.5580 or dstrohmaier@bigskyrail.org; or BSPRA Executive Director Jess Peterson at jess@wssdc.com or by phone at 406.850.1592.

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This project and its findings are BSPRA’s inaugural effort to formally and directly gather important public knowledge and judgements on passenger rail as a social determinant of health in rural and tribal areas. The project provides a baseline understanding of benefits and issues related to reestablishing passenger rail in southern Montana and creates a template for future public engagement related to long-distance passenger rail service. BSPRA was supported by Montana State University Extension in this outreach effort and analysis.

Tribal nations represented in the project included the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, Crow Tribe, and Northern Cheyenne Tribe. Non-tribal rural communities included Paradise (Sanders County), Forsyth (Rosebud County), and Glendive (Dawson County). Limited transportation options in these and surrounding communities restrict access to social and economic opportunities, which adversely impact health outcomes.

This report is part of BSPRA’s continuing efforts to restore Amtrak’s North Coast Hiawatha (NCH) route stretching from Chicago to Seattle/Portland via southern Montana and North Dakota, which will provide vital economic and social benefits to rural and tribal communities and markedly advance transportation equity. BSPRA is hopeful that the Federal Railroad Administration will recommend the renewal of service on the NCH line to Congress early next year and that this report will support that recommendation.

Common themes related to the benefits of passenger rail identified during the project include:

• Increased access to health care/medical services, including the ability to see providers in-person vs. utilizing tele-health resources; this was considered particularly advantageous for elderly individuals and veterans.

• Increased access to employment/employment opportunities and education, including the ability for college students to get to/from various educational facilities and come home more frequently, less expensively and more safely.

• Safer, more consistent, and predictable transportation, especially in the winter months during which time many people are more isolated because of hazardous driving conditions and major highway closures – significantly reducing traffic deaths and injuries.

• Increased ability to attend important family and community events, most predominantly sporting events/tournaments which often take place significant distances from home communities. This also included increased safety for high school/college teams traveling for games/tournaments.

• Opportunities for economic development, including bringing residents (in addition to tourists) from the rural communities to urban centers and bringing people from the urban centers to the rural communities; connecting regions and the state and visitors from around the nation and world.

• Reduction of greenhouse gases and carbon emissions by substituting more efficient rail travel for individual vehicle use.

“We’re extremely grateful for the generous support of the Montana Healthcare Foundation, which made this project possible,” said BSPRA Chairman Dave Strohmaier. “There is a direct correlation between healthy communities and individuals and robust transportation options, like passenger rail. This was borne out in community after community that we visited as a part of our engagement process.”

The goal of the process was to explore how connectivity to not just Montana communities, but to the larger national rail network might increase national and global visitors to rural and tribal Montana and improve the ability of rural and tribal Montanans to access the rest of the nation, further increasing the economic and social well-being of impacted communities. This extends beyond renewal of the NCH route to also embrace other potential connections to Denver or Salt Lake City, and beyond.

Additionally, direct public engagement in multiple venues, locations, and formats during the course of this project allowed BSPRA to assess the level of local support, gauge interest, and determine if there were any identified local barriers that should be considered moving forward. BSPRA and its member and partner communities are already building upon this foundation to incorporate lessons learned and expand public engagement activities. This project was supported by a $25,000 grant from the Montana Healthcare Foundation.

About the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority (BSPRA)

The Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority is a subdivision of the state government and the largest transportation district in Montana. It was formed to re-establish safe, reliable, and sustainable passenger rail service across southern Montana and comprises 20 member counties and ex officio membership of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai, Crow, and Northern Cheyenne tribes, Amtrak, Montana Department of Transportation, and BNSF Railway. Passenger rail service through southern Montana ended 43 years ago with the loss of Amtrak’s North Coast Hiawatha and the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority believes that together we can bring it back. Learn more at bigskyrail.org and read the entire public engagement report at bigskyrail/public- engagement-report.

For questions or interview requests, please contact BSPRA Chairman Dave Strohmaier at 406.529.5580 or dstrohmaier@bigskyrail.org; or BSPRA Executive Director Jess Peterson at jess@wssdc.com or by phone at 406.850.1592.

Rail advocates, federal, state, local, and tribal officials, host railroads convene to revitalize passenger rail service in Southern Montana and beyond.

BILLINGS, MT, UNITED STATES, August 3, 2023/EINPresswire.com/ -- The iconic Hotel Finlen in uptown Butte, Montana will serve as the backdrop for the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority’s (BSPRA) Third Annual Conference on Wednesday, August 9th. Located in the heart of America’s second largest historic district, passenger rail advocates from across the state and region will join federal, state, local, and tribal officials, representatives of host railroads and rail infrastructure experts focused on restoration, expansion, and enhancement of passenger rail service in Southern Montana and beyond. All are welcome and the proceedings will be live-streamed.

The passage of the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) has created the first opportunity in decades to expand and improve passenger rail access and no region of the country is in more need than the Greater Northwest. Now is the time for rail advocates and policymakers to ensure that the “second rail revolution” doesn’t pass us by.

“It is only through regional collaboration and coordination with the host railroads and policymakers that we will achieve our goal of expanding and improving passenger rail service both here in Montana and throughout the region,” said BSPRA Chairman Dave Strohmaier. “And the presence at our conference of senior officials from the Federal Railroad Administration, Amtrak, Surface Transportation Board, other agencies, and host railroads shows that our efforts and voices are being taken very seriously.”

The conference will commence Wednesday with Federal Railroad Administrator Amit Bose and his team providing an update on the Amtrak Daily Long Distance Survey Study and what it means. The BSPRA monthly board meeting will take place midday and conclude with an evening gala dinner. We hope you can join us. To register, visit BSPRA Annual Conference.

About the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority (BSPRA)

The Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority is a subdivision of state government and the largest transportation district in Montana. It was formed to re-establish safe, reliable, and sustainable passenger rail service across southern Montana and comprises 20 member counties and ex officio membership of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai, Crow, and Northern Cheyenne tribes, Amtrak, Montana Department of Transportation, and BNSF Railway. Passenger rail service through southern Montana ended 43 years ago with the loss of Amtrak’s North Coast Hiawatha and the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority believes that together we can bring it back. Learn more at bigskyrail.org.

For questions or interview requests, please contact BSPRA Chairman Dave Strohmaier at 406.529.5580 or dstrohmaier@bigskyrail.org; or BSPRA Executive Director Jess Peterson at jess@wssdc.com or by phone at 406.850.1592.

(Billings, MT) On Wednesday, May 24, the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority (BSPRA) will kick off a series of six rural and tribal community engagement meetings across Montana, gathering public input on restoration of passenger rail service to the southern part of the state. This project is supported by a $25,000 grant from the Montana Healthcare Foundation. See www.bigskyrail.org/events for full details on the meetings.

Tribal nations represented in the project include the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, Crow Tribe, and Northern Cheyenne Tribe. Non-tribal rural communities involved in the project include Paradise (Sanders County), Forsyth (Rosebud County), and Glendive (Dawson County). Limited transportation options in these and surrounding communities restrict access to social and economic opportunities, which adversely impacts health outcomes. The project will document benefits to these communities from passenger rail service and will be supported by Montana State University Extension.

The report generated from the project is part of BSPRA’s continuing efforts to restore Amtrak’s North Coast Hiawatha (NCH) route stretching from Chicago to Seattle/Portland via southern Montana, which will provide vital economic and social benefits to rural and tribal communities and markedly advance transportation equity. BSPRA hopes that the Federal Railroad Administration will recommend the renewal of service on the NCH line to Congress this November as an outcome of the Amtrak Daily Long-Distance Service Study, which is currently underway.

“We want to hear the voices of those who will benefit most from renewed passenger rail service in southern Montana,” says BSPRA Chairman Dave Strohmaier. “We’re extremely grateful to the Montana Healthcare Foundation for recognizing transportation as a social determinant of health and investing in this critical community outreach project.” According to Strohmaier, “the findings of these six meetings will directly address two of the review criteria for the FRA long distance study: advancing the economic and social well-being of rural areas of the United States and reflecting public engagement and local and regional support for restored passenger rail service.”

This Montana Healthcare Foundation-funded project will break new ground in Montana by focusing on how a rail transportation system can reduce a host of serious health disparities in the state including chronic conditions, accidents, and the absence of care.

About Montana Healthcare Foundation

The Montana Healthcare Foundation makes strategic investments to improve the health and well being of all Montanans. Created in 2013, MHCF has more than $200 million in assets making it Montana’s largest health-focused, private foundation. MHCF contributes to a measurably healthier state by supporting access to quality and affordable health services, conducting evidence-driven research and analysis, and addressing the upstream influences on health and illness. For more information, visit mthcf.org.

About Montana State University Extension

Montana State University Extension is a statewide educational outreach network that applies unbiased, research-based university resources to practical needs identified by the people of Montana in their home communities.

About the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority (BSPRA)

The Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority is a subdivision of state government and the largest transportation district in Montana. It was formed to re-establish safe, reliable, and sustainable passenger rail service across southern Montana and comprises 20 member counties and ex officio membership of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai, Crow, and Northern Cheyenne tribes, Amtrak, Montana Department of Transportation, and BNSF Railway. Passenger rail service through southern Montana ended 43 years ago with the loss of Amtrak’s North Coast Hiawatha and the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority believes that together we can bring it back. Learn more at bigskyrail.org.

For questions or interview requests, please contact BSPRA Chairman Dave Strohmaier at 406.529.5580 or dstrohmaier@bigskyrail.org; or BSPRA Executive Director Jess Peterson at jess@wssdc.com or by phone at 406.850.1592.

(Billings, Mont.) The Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority (BSPRA) strongly supports Montana Senator Jon Tester’s decision to block the White House’s slate of nominees for the Amtrak Board of Directors, urging President Joe Biden to reconsider nominating potential Board members from Western states.

Five of the six White House nominees to the Amtrak board come from the Northeast Corridor communities, despite the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s explicit requirement that new Amtrak Board members represent the breadth of Amtrak’s served communities and stakeholders, especially those in rural America. In fact, none of the six nominees come from a state west of the Mississippi River, leaving half of the country without representation at the highest levels of Amtrak.

“For too long the Amtrak leadership has come from coastal cities. Rural America, dependent on long-distance passenger rail for its transportation needs, has been left without a seat at the table,” said Dave Strohmaier, BSPRA Chairman and Missoula County Commissioner. “We deserve a voice and appreciate Senator Tester’s leadership in ensuring that Montana and the West are seen and heard.”

Amtrak needs to strengthen and expand its services and relationships in many parts of the country but especially in rural areas and communities long denied the benefits of passenger rail. It is critical that people in places like Montana have a voice at the highest levels of Amtrak to ensure that we are not overlooked. One of Senator Tester’s priorities in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) – now known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law – was to make sure Amtrak gets the support it needs to bring quality passenger rail service to the entire country and not just the Northeast Corridor. That also requires that the Amtrak Board of Directors reflect the nation’s geographic diversity and as such, the IIJA mandates that no more than four members of the Amtrak Board of Directors come from the Northeast Corridor.

Montana and the Greater Northwest are among the most underserved regions of the country by passenger rail, and the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority and our colleagues are focused on the restoration of passenger rail routes across the region. This will provide greater economic opportunity and news jobs for urban, rural and tribal communities as well as provide transportation equity for communities across the region, for many of whom the nearest commercial airport is hundreds of miles away.

About the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority (BSPRA)

The Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority is a subdivision of state government and the largest transportation district in Montana. It was formed to re-establish safe, reliable, and sustainable passenger rail service across southern Montana and comprises 20 member counties and ex officio membership of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai, Crow, and Northern Cheyenne tribes, Amtrak, Montana Department of Transportation, and BNSF Railway. Passenger rail service through southern Montana ended 43 years ago with the loss of Amtrak’s North Coast Hiawatha and the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority believes that together we can bring it back. Learn more at bigskyrail.org.

For questions or interview requests, please contact BSPRA Chairman Dave Strohmaier at dstrohmaier@bigskyrail.org or by phone at 406-852-4765.

(Billings, Mont.) The Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority is pleased to announce it has been awarded a $25,000 grant by the Montana Healthcare Foundation to conduct passenger rail community engagement in three rural and three tribal communities in southern Montana. Tribal nations include the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, Crow Tribe, and Northern Cheyenne Tribe. Non-tribal rural communities involved in the project include Paradise (Sanders County), Forsyth (Rosebud County), and Glendive (Dawson County). Limited transportation options in these and surrounding communities restrict access to social and economic opportunities, which adversely impacts health outcomes. The project will document benefits to these communities from passenger rail service and will be supported by Montana State University Extension.

The report generated from the project is part of BSPRA’s continuing efforts to restore Amtrak’s North Coast Hiawatha (NCH) route stretching from Chicago to Seattle/Portland via southern Montana, which will provide vital economic and social benefits to rural and tribal communities and markedly advance transportation equity. BSPRA hopes that the Federal Railroad Administration will recommend the renewal of service on the NCH line to Congress this November as an outcome of the Amtrak Daily Long-Distance Service Study, which is currently underway. 

“We want to hear the voices of those who will benefit most from renewed passenger rail service in southern Montana,” says BSPRA Chairman Dave Strohmaier. “To that end, we’re grateful for the Montana Healthcare Foundation’s recognition of transportation as a social determinant of health and for their investment in this critical community outreach project.” According to Strohmaier, “the findings of these six meetings will directly address two of the review criteria for the FRA long-distance study: advancing the economic and social well-being of rural areas of the United States, and reflecting public engagement and local and regional support for restored passenger rail service.”

This Montana Healthcare Foundation-funded project will break new ground in Montana by focusing on how a rail transportation system can reduce a host of serious health disparities in the state including chronic conditions, accidents, and the absence of care.

About Montana Healthcare Foundation

The Montana Healthcare Foundation makes strategic investments to improve the health and well-being of all Montanans. Created in 2013, MHCF has more than $200 million in assets making it Montana’s largest health-focused, private foundation. MHCF contributes to a measurably healthier state by supporting access to quality and affordable health services, conducting evidence-driven research and analysis, and addressing the upstream influences on health and illness. For more information, visit mthcf.org.

About Montana State University Extension 

Montana State University Extension is a statewide educational outreach network that applies unbiased, research-based university resources to practical needs identified by the people of Montana in their home communities.

About the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority (BSPRA)

The Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority is a subdivision of state government and the largest transportation district in Montana. It was formed to re-establish safe, reliable, and sustainable passenger rail service across southern Montana and comprises 20 member counties and ex officio membership of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai, Crow, and Northern Cheyenne tribes, Amtrak, Montana Department of Transportation, and BNSF Railway. Passenger rail service through southern Montana ended 43 years ago with the loss of Amtrak’s North Coast Hiawatha and the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority believes that together we can bring it back. Learn more at bigskyrail.org.

The Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority (BSPRA) is pleased to announce the submission of a Corridor ID Program proposal to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). According to the FRA, “The Corridor ID Program is intended to become the primary means for directing Federal financial support and technical assistance toward the development of proposals for new or improved intercity passenger rail services throughout the United States.” BSPRA and its supporters hope the North Coast Hiawatha (NCH) corridor from Chicago to Seattle/Portland through southern Montana will be one of the routes chosen.

The North Coast Hiawatha will transform the economy of the Greater Northwest region, revitalizing rural communities and tribal nations, and providing access for underserved citizens to health care, education, other services, and civic resources often unreachable in winter when highways become unreliable or hazardous. The route will serve as a key catalyst for creating or renewing other passenger rail routes in the American West and Canada and will help awaken a 21st century rail renaissance in western North America.

“We’re extremely pleased to submit this Corridor ID Program proposal to the FRA and are grateful for the excellent technical support of Quandel Consultants and KLJ Engineering,” said BSPRA Chairman Dave Strohmaier. The North Coast Hiawatha route is already under analysis as part of the FRA’s Amtrak Daily LongDistance Service Study. The Corridor ID Program will work hand in glove with that study to complete a service development plan and preliminary engineering—precursors to resuming passenger rail service through southern Montana and beyond. According to Strohmaier, “this is yet another major accomplishment of the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority. As evidence of regional and national interest in our proposal, we’re pleased to have received letters of support including BNSF Railway, Amtrak, five state DOTs, U.S. senators from North Dakota and Montana, and municipalities.”

Created under the 2021 bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the Corridor ID Program "will guide the development of new and enhanced intercity passenger rail services that will help bolster economic growth throughout the country," according to the FRA. For each corridor selected, the FRA will award an initial grant of $500,000 for preliminary planning toward the creation of a service development plan.

Melanie Johnson, Senior Director of Planning for Quandel Consultants, indicated that Quandel Consultants has been excited for the opportunity to partner with the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority in developing its Corridor ID proposal. “This effort is the gateway and initial step toward future passenger rail service on the former North Coast Hiawatha route connecting Chicago to Seattle while providing service to cities and communities in Montana and North Dakota that have been without passenger rail for over 40 years. We appreciate the support of KLJ Engineering in drafting this submission as well.”

All Aboard Montana
bigskyrail.org

BSPRA Member Counties:

Big Horn
Broadwater
Butte-Silver Bow
Carbon
Custer
Dawson
Gallatin
Granite
Jefferson
Lake
Mineral
Missoula
Park
Powell
Prairie
Rosebud
Sanders
Stillwater
Treasure
Wibaux

Ex Officio Members

Confederated Salish & Kootenai
Tribes
Crow Tribe
Northern Cheyenne Tribe
Amtrak
BNSF Railway
Montana Department of
Transportation

Passenger Rail Service through Southern Montana ended 42 years ago. Together, we can bring it back.

bigskyrail.org

For more information about the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority and its Corridor ID Program proposal, please contact:

Dave Strohmaier

Chairman, Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority

dstrohmaier@bigskyrail.org or 406.529.5580

The Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority (BSPRA), in its efforts to restore passenger rail service to southern Montana and beyond, reached another milestone Tuesday after the Treasure County Commissioners unanimously voted to join the BSPRA. The BSPRA now boasts 20 member counties in addition to three tribal nations, forming a contiguous body from the North Dakota border to the Idaho border.

“We are very pleased to welcome Treasure County into the BSPRA and this marks yet another exciting step for the Authority. With 20 member counties, the BSPRA now counts a full one-third of Montana’s counties as members,” said BSPRA Chairman Dave Strohmaier. “The unanimous vote by the Treasure County Commission only further affirms what we already know. From the quiet, bucolic streets of Hysham, Forsyth, and Terry to the bustling, urban hearts of Bozeman, Butte, and Missoula, Montanans from all walks of life are uniting to see passenger rail service restored to southern Montana for the economic and social benefits it will bring to all communities – both urban and rural.”

Six counties are still eligible to vote favorably to join the BSPRA: Beaverhead, Deer Lodge, Lewis & Clark, Madison, Sweet Grass and Yellowstone. With the BSPRA gaining momentum and growing in stature, the Authority hopes that before the end of 2023 most, if not all, of those remaining counties will decide to join.

The members of the BSPRA are working towards delivering a transformational infrastructure project for Montana. One that will not only bring all the economic and social benefits of passenger rail service, but will also improve rail safety and benefit freight operations which will in turn benefit agriculture and industry.

According to an analysis performed for the BSPRA by the Rail Passengers Association in 2021, restoration of passenger rail service through southern Montana is estimated to generate an additional $270 million in annual economic output across the Northwest and carry 426,000 passengers per year at start-up. The existing Empire Builder line currently generates $595 million in economic output across the seven states it serves, with $101.5 million in annual economic benefit to Montana alone.

The historic Northern Hotel in downtown Billings, Montana, will serve as the backdrop for the first Greater Northwest Passenger Rail Summit on Monday and Tuesday, Aug. 22-23. Passenger rail advocacy organizations from across the Northwest will join federal, state, local, and tribal officials, representatives of host railroads and rail infrastructure experts to educate, innovate and coordinate for the restoration, expansion and enhancement of passenger rail service.

The passage in late 2021 of the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) has created the first opportunity in decades to expand and improve passenger rail access and no region of the country is in more need of that expansion and improvement than the Greater Northwest.

Now is the time for rail advocates and policymakers from across the region to start coordinating to ensure the “second rail revolution” doesn’t pass us by.

“This summit represents the inaugural effort to bring passenger rail advocates and enthusiasts from across the Greater Northwest together in one place to restore and expand our passenger rail network across the region,” said David Strohmaier, chairman of the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority, the summit host. “It is only through regional collaboration and coordination with the host railroads and policymakers that we will achieve our goal of expanding and improving passenger rail service both here in Montana and throughout the region. And the presence at this summit of senior officials from the Federal Railroad Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation, other agencies, and host railroads shows that our efforts and voices are being taken very seriously.”

The summit will open Monday with a speech by FRA Administrator Amit Bose and close Tuesday night with a gala dinner at the historic Billings Depot, where Virginia Rail Policy Institute President, Co-Chair of Virginians for HighSpeed Rail, and newly elected Rail Passengers Association Board Chair Meredith Richards will deliver the keynote address. The summit agenda features moderated panel discussions where federal, local, state, and tribal officials, host railroad representatives, engineering experts, and passenger rail advocates will discuss everything from the economic and social benefits to communities and tribal nations to the environmental benefits of building a bigger, better passenger rail network for our region and country.

To view a complete schedule and learn more about the summit, visit the website at www.gnwprs.org, or contact BSPRA Vice Chairman Jason Stuart at jstuart@bigskyrail.org or 406-852-4765. BSPRA Chairman Dave Strohmaier is also available for interviews at dstrohmaier@bigskyrail.org or 406-852-4765.

MISSOULA, MT, UNITED STATES, August 18, 2022 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Xplorer Maps (XM) journey began more than a decade ago with two brothers—a talented, globe-trotting artist and an entrepreneurial geography buff—who had a mission to create hand-drawn, antique-style maps of national parks and travel destinations that would make lasting and meaningful connections between people and place worldwide.

But Chris and Greg Robitaille were looking for more. The family-owned business wanted to form partnerships with organizations whose mission is aligned with connecting people and place and where their fine art lends itself naturally. Xplorer Maps dedicates at least one of the six maps it releases each year to working and collaborating with a Montana non-profit. And the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority (BSPRA) was fortunate for its chance encounter at the Missoula-Made Fair which led to its selection.

BSPRA's Dan Bucks attended the Fair in December. “Dan stumbled upon our booth and started speaking with my wife, Julie, who immediately knew I would want to meet him, " said owner Greg Robitaille. "I'm always interested in unique Montana-based stories and Julie knows a compelling story when she hears one! I quickly learned how passionate and earnest Dan was in his enthusiasm for rail, the project... and quite frankly, Xplorer Maps. The map is the result of a rewarding collaboration; combining original artwork, unique story-telling, and philanthropy with a shared vision for passenger rail in the greater northwest."

As creators of the world’s finest hand-drawn maps, Xplorer's artistic process usually takes 12-18 months from “concept to completion”. “Never before has XM turned a discussion into a map in this short of a time frame, seven months. Actual artwork takes about six weeks once everything has been decided upon; scale, scope, design, layout,” explained Chris Robitaille. XM and BSPRA spent months massaging content; discussing details; and making sure the contents for the rail map were exactly what the Authority wanted.

“We believe that this fine art piece beautifully reflects the great expanse and significance of the greater northwest and will generate public interest in expanding passenger rail in Southern Montana, the greater northwest and beyond. We are so grateful for the generosity of XM, Chris and Greg Robitaille" says Dave Strohmaier,Chairman of the BSPRA.

The original artwork has been donated for the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority auction runs through August 23rd at the Greater Northwest Passenger Rail Summit. For details on the auction and bidding visit: https://e.givesmart.com/events/rS9/

Greater Northwest Passenger Rail map can be viewed here: https://e.givesmart.com/events/rS9/i/_All/io9Z/

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Greater Northwest Rail Original Artwork. Signed by artist Chris Robitaille.

This collaborative partnership with the Big Sky Rail Passenger Authority is a "first of its kind" for Xplorer Maps. The signed original artwork was rendered using the finest pen and ink brushes and finished with multiple watercolor washes layered throughout the process. From conception to completion, the artwork took approximately 3-4 months. Every line, letter, icon, and detail is drawn entirely by hand and is unique and original to this new map.

Framed

Size: 24x18

Museum Glass

Shipping Included

About Xplorer Maps: Xplorer Maps is a registered Made in Montana business that uses exclusively 100% post-consumer content paper produced with 100% green energy and chlorine-free soy-based inks. Since they began 10 years ago, Xplorer Maps has donated more than $100,000 to 37 different organizations dedicated to the education and conservation of our Public Lands. To commemorate their 10th year of business in Montana, they are supporting efforts to restore passenger rail through the auction of the “Greater Northwest Passenger Rail” map. Learn more at www.xplorermaps.com.

About Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority (BSPRA): Passenger Rail Service through Southern Montana ended 42 years ago and Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority believes that together, we can bring it back. The Authority was formed to re-establish safe, reliable, and sustainable passenger rail service across southern Montana and is comprised of 18 member counties along what is known as the North Coast Hiawatha Route and also includes three tribal councils, Amtrak, Montana Department of Transportation and BNSF Railway. Learn more at https://www.bigskyrail.org.

BSPRA is serving as host of the inaugural Greater Northwest Passenger Rail Summit, Billings, MT, August 22-23, 2022. https://gnwprs.org/

Former Montanans David Simmons and his brother, Academy Award-winning actor J.K. Simmons, have recorded a song and video titled “All Aboard Montana” supporting the restoration of the former North Coast Hiawatha route through southern Montana and the efforts of the BSPRA.

J.K. and David both graduated from the University of Montana, where their father, Donald Simmons, was the longtime director ofthe UM School of Music.“We are thrilled to present this video to the publicfor the first time,” said BSPRA chairman David Strohmaier. “David Simmons is a gifted musician and an early supporter of our efforts, and of course just about everyone knows who J.K. is. Millions of people around the world are watching him on the big screen right now in the latest ‘Spider-Man’ film. We are so pleased and grateful that David and J.K. took the time to record this for us and express their support for our efforts, andwe are certain their endorsement will help us build even more excitement around our push to restore passenger rail service to southern Montana.

The video will debut shortly after the beginning of Wednesday’s BSPRA board meeting.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yL4hAW94WZg

A bipartisan group of U.S. senators from the Greater Northwest region today delivered a letter to Federal Railroad Administration Deputy Administrator Amit Bose calling on the FRA and the U.S. Department of Transportation to establish a Greater Northwest Working Group for the purpose of working towards the restoration and enhancement of passenger rail service across the region.

Led by Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT), the letter was co-signed by Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Sen. John Hoeven (R-ND), Sen. James Risch (R-ID), Sen. Mike Crapo (R-ID), Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR), Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT).

“The investments in Montana’s infrastructure that we secured in the bipartisan infrastructure law will be a boon for the Treasure State’s economy, and we’ve got to make sure they’re fully deployed,” Tester said. “That’s why this study is so important — restoring some of our long-distance passenger rail routes has broad bipartisan support and could have a positive impact across our state.”

The Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority, a collection of 17 counties which is leading the effort for the restoration of passenger rail service through southern Montana, lauded the senators’ letter and their efforts.

“The Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority is delighted to see strong bipartisan support for taking concrete steps to expand long-distance passenger rail service in the northern Rockies and Pacific Northwest,” said BSPRA Chairman David Strohmaier. “The eight U.S. senators who signed the letter to FRA Deputy Administrator Bose have shown the political will to take a hard look at restoring the North Coast Hiawatha and, potentially, other routes in the region. Creation of a Greater Northwest Working Group is a key step toward that goal, and we applaud the courage of these senators to leverage the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to this end.”

Section 22214 of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, an amendment to the bill sponsored by Sen. Tester and Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS), directs the FRA and USDOT to conduct a study of discontinued former long-distance passenger rail routes, like the former North Coast Hiawatha route that serviced southern Montana and North Dakota and the former Pioneer route that ran from Denver to Seattle and servicing Salt Lake City and Boise, ID. The section also authorizes USDOT to create new rail working groups to help facilitate and provide direction to those studies.

As the Greater Northwest is among the most underserved regions of the country by passenger rail, it is the hope of the letter cosigners that the establishment of a federally authorized rail working group for the region will help facilitate the restoration of discontinued passenger rail routes across the region. This will provide greater economic opportunity and new jobs for urban, rural and tribal communities as well as provide transportation equity for communities across the region, for many of whom the nearest commercial airport is hundreds of miles away.