Revitalizing Communities and Building Sustainable Economies

 

BILLINGS, MT, UNITED STATES, July 30, 2024
Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority (BSPRA) is excited to announce the selection of a team led by David Evans and Associates (DEA) and including Quandel Consultants (Quandel), KLJ Engineering (KLJ) and the Steer Group (STEER) for the pivotal role of planning and designing new passenger rail service on the former North Coast Hiawatha route, hereafter referred to as the Big Sky North Coast Corridor. Read the press release here.

Corridor ID Program

Restoring Passenger Rail to Southern Montana and Beyond

Traveling through seven states, Amtrak’s North Coast Limited/Hiawatha connected Chicago, Illinois to Seattle, Washington. Operating for more than 80 years, the discontinuation of this line in 1979 severed access to passenger rail to the largest cities in Montana and North Dakota and small towns in between. As a result, a vast expanse of the Greater Northwest Region lacks passenger rail service.

Today, more than 2,000 miles from the Great Lake to the Pacific and 800 miles from Great Falls to Denver no longer have access to passenger rail service. It’s time to provide passenger rail service to all of America. The benefits of restored service are many.

Livingston Depot Center, Livingston, MT Photo Credit: Ron Reiring of Burbank, California

Photo Credit: Loco Steve

Benefits of Restoring Passenger Rail

Using the Hi-Line / Empire Builder

  • Creates jobs

  • Provides affordable, safe, clean transportation year-round for healthcare, education, commerce, and tourism

  • Upgrades rail lines for freight AND passenger service

  • The Empire Builder generates an Annual Economic Return to the U.S. of $327 million (2023).

  • Annual federal appropriation to run the service is $57.5M – a nearly 6x return on investment
    Pre-pandemic, the Empire Builder's annual economic return was $595 million—$101M in Montana alone—a 10x return on investment.

Gaining Steam Across the Region and in Congress

US DOT Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg addresses Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority at its Annual Meeting in Missoula on June 7th, 2024.

U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) offers his thoughts to the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority Annual Meeting attendees on June 7th, 2024

U.S. Senator Jon Tester (D-MT) offers this video welcome and thanks to the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority Annual Meeting attendees on Friday, June 7th

Thank You Partners

We couldn’t do it without you.

Montana Healthcare Foundation / Clearwater Credit Union / Northern Hotel / Siemens / Glacier County / Xplorer Maps / KLJ / NorthWestern Energy / Destination Missoula / Association for Innovative Passenger Rail Operations / Hilltop Securities / Stifel / Republic Services / Stockman Bank / Park Side Credit Union / Washington Corporation / DJ&A / Morrison Maierle / BNSF Railway

Empire Builder

Northern California artist Michael Schwab, known for his iconic style, crafted the striking artwork for Amtrak's 'Empire Builder' in 2003. This captivating piece, part of a print ad campaign spanning from 2004 to 2012, intricately captures the essence of historic American train routes amidst a timeless and serene winter setting in the vast American West. 'Empire Builder' merchandise, crafted by the talented designer Michael Schwab, is available for purchase to support the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority.

Show your love for train travel with these unique items bearing the iconic design.