Fall Update 2024

Greater Northwest Rail Summit - October 8th and 9th in Spokane See our Guest Blog Post below. You can still register, virtual attendance is an option, and there are discounted registrations for students, non-profit and government organizations. Register.

The Western Governors' Association "Best of the West" issue on October 3rd features BSPRA

Excerpt: The revival of the North Coast Hiawatha route is thanks in large part to the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority, which has spent years gathering support for restoring the rail service. As one of the proposed routes in the Corridor ID program, Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority received $500,000 in federal funding in December, and the group has been working on planning and designing the route since then. Full story below.

Corridor ID - Kick off with Consultants

We have selected David Evans and Associates, Inc., as our prime consultant on Corridor ID and introduced them at our September board meeting. The recording is here, start at 16:00 to 47:00 to hear Abe Zumwalt's presentation to BSPRA.

Helena joins the Authority as a Government Partner

Last month, the Helena City Commission voted to join our Government Partners Program (along with making a $4,000 contribution!). Even though Lewis and Clark County is not yet a BSPRA member, having Helena involved in our efforts is a huge milestone that ensures Montana’s capital city is on the map of supporting communities. Thanks to Dr. Gregory Thomas and Dan Bucks, among others, for helping lay the groundwork for the city’s decision. A press release and a "conversation" with Emily Dean a City Commissioner and Montana Free Press is included below.

Bismarck - Mandan MPO considers joining the Authority details below.

Pint night in Glendive at Cross Country Brewing and in Wibaux at Beaver Creek Brewery photos and a radio interview with Jason Stuart are included herein.

Montana League of Cities and Towns Annual Conference October 2nd - 4th in West Yellowstone. We were a sponsor of the event and were represented by BSPRA Directors, Mary Hensleigh and Grant Gager of Jefferson County and Park County, respectively.

Chairman Strohmaier attended AASHTO-CORT (Council on Rail Transportation) and the States for Passenger Rail Coalition meeting in Norfolk, VA September 23rd - 26th. Details and update to follow.

RailNation:Tucson - November 1st -3rd sponsored by Rail Passengers Association with All Aboard Arizona.

Dave Strohmaier, Allison Corbyn, and Dan Bucks attended the FRA Workshop “Partnering to Advance Effective Rail Investments.” This two-day event focused on successful examples of project delivery, best practices to overcome challenges during the project lifecycle, and the latest recommendations to develop and submit grant applications. It was a great opportunity to meet strategic partners in person, including the FRA, Amtrak, BNSF, organized labor, and many others. Those interested can learn more about the workshop here.

Media & Community Engagement

Excerpt from the Western Governors' Association: "Reviving Passenger Rail"

Until recently, passenger rail projects have been collecting dust in the West and across the country. Now, fresh momentum has been growing for new and revived passenger rail projects across western states, with potential high-speed rail and long-distance projects on the horizon. An ongoing study from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is evaluating the restoration of daily passenger rail services on long-distance routes over 750 miles, including both discontinued lines and new routes.

The study, which was funded by the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), proposes 15 new routes across the country, with many of them passing through western cities and states. One of the proposed routes is the former North Coast Hiawatha line, which ran through four western states from Chicago to Seattle until it shut down in 1979. Read the entire post here.

Excerpt: Progress and Community Engagement

Since receiving the Corridor ID grant, BSPRA has been actively collaborating with stakeholders, including state and local governments, transportation authorities, and community organizations, to gather input and ensure that the restored route will serve the needs of all residents. Public meetings and outreach efforts have been critical in shaping the vision for the Big Sky North Coast Corridor as community feedback continues to guide the development of the SDP.

A unique aspect of this project is its emphasis on rural rail storytelling. Many of the towns along the proposed route have rich histories with passenger rail; for some, the return of the Big Sky North Coast Corridor represents the return of a lifeline. Stories of past experiences and future hopes are being gathered, reminding us that passenger rail is about moving people and reconnecting communities and reawakening economic potential.

Read the entire blog post here.

The Malta, MT Corridor Operational Enhancement Project is an $18.6 million initiative to improve railroad infrastructure on BNSF’s Milk River Subdivision, benefiting freight and intercity passenger service.
Up to 80% of the funding will come from an FY '22-23 Federal Railroad Administration Federal State Partnership grant;
Amtrak and BNSF Railway are providing additional funds. BNSF will carry out the work, which is targeted for completion in December 2025.
Key Stakeholders: Amtrak, Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority, BNSF, City of Malta, MT.

Rail is growing more important to Idaho’s future. Discussions will be happening soon

Major expansion of Amtrak’s national long-distance train network could bring many more trains to the Sandpoint with new North Coast Corridor service on the Seattle to Chicago route serving southern Montana. The Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority has received a federal endorsement and funding for the route. The new route will complement the existing Amtrak Empire Builder on the HiLine. Read more.

This week, federal officials announced a new round of funding for passenger rail projects. It’s part of a larger push to expand and restore service, including an old Amtrak route that once made stops across North Dakota, including Fargo and Bismarck, until it was canceled several decades ago. The Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority has been working on the proposal for three years. Authority Chairman Dave Strohmaier says they were awarded seed money last year and continue to work on restoring the southern Amtrak line. KFGO 790 AM

Consultants hired to help develop plans for two Passenger Routes

“The ambitious goal of the Authority is to have a 21st Century passenger rail service designed over the coming years to enable the passenger service to operate by 2032 if Congress so chooses,” Dave Strohmaier, the authority chair, said in a press release. He said goals for the service include twice-daily service in each direction and the development of connecting transportation to outlying communities along the route. From Trains Magazine

These were great opportunities to meet and discuss the efforts of the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority and the Big Sky North Coast Corridor (formerly known as the North Coast Hiawatha) with BSPRA Vice Chairman, Jason Stuart in Dawson County and Wibaux County, respectively.

KFLN 960 - More passenger rail through Montana isn’t just a hope and a dream, it’s a plan that’s chugging ahead. Vice Chairman Jason Stuart talks the latest status with KLFN 960 and also plugs for Pint Night in Wibaux. It's worth a listen here.

The Bismarck-Mandan MPO consists of the cities of Bismarck, Mandan, Lincoln, and portions of Burleigh and Morton Counties.

The Policy Board represents the member cities/counties and is the decision-making body of the MPO. Vice Chairman Stuart attended the August 20th MPO meeting to present an update on the Federal Railraod Administration Long Distance service Study/Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority Government Partners Program. Kim Riepl, MPO, joined him. Presentations.

Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority Selects David Evans and Associates, Inc. for Corridor Identification Program Support

This vital work will be funded through the Corridor Identification (Corridor ID) Program of the Federal Railroad Administration. BSPRA’s partnership with the DEA Team marks a significant milestone in expanding passenger rail service in the Greater Northwest Region from the Great Lakes to the Pacific Northwest. Press release here.

The Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority (BSPRA) announced that the City of Helena Local Government has joined the Authority as a government partner. This marks a significant step in revitalizing passenger rail service to southern Montana and the Greater Northwest, stretching from Chicago to Seattle and Portland. Read more.

Montana Free Press Helena - 3 Questions The Helena City Commission agreed to join the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority as a member of its municipal partners program. The rail authority is leading the effort to add a passenger rail route connecting Seattle to Chicago and passing through some Montana cities, including Helena. City Commissioner Emily Dean spoke with MTFP about the commission’s decision to join the rail authority. Her comments have been edited for length and clarity.

MTFP: What benefits does the commission see in Helena joining the BSPRA?

Dean: As a commission, the discussion has surrounded the economic impacts. The economic impacts of connecting Helena residents and Montanans to jobs, health care and educational opportunities would be significant. The other piece of it is that in Montana, we spend so much of our time on the road for all sorts of reasons, whether it’s work, fun, medical appointments, football games or basketball games. An Amtrak passenger rail through Helena would create more opportunities for our residents to access safe, reliable and sustainable modes of transportation. So adding another option for our residents would be a benefit and something I think that we should participate in.

MTFP: What has the public response been like?

Dean: First and foremost, the overwhelming majority of comments that we got from constituents were supportive [of] Helena’s participation and advocating for restoring passage rail through Amtrak service. A piece that I don’t want to be lost is that at the national level, our federal government has prioritized investments in expanding and developing world-class passenger rail. We do not want rural America, including Montana, to be left behind.

Restoring Amtrak, rail travel would provide this year-round safe, affordable transportation option for Helena residents and tourists alike. We want to be at the table as part of that conversation.

MTFP: What do you say to those who have concerns about how the rail would be funded?

Dean: I want to ensure that the voice of our constituents is part of the conversation in the renewal of Amtrak service through our communities. I think that it’s important to remember the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority is the organizing entity, or the vehicle, that was created to investigate, analyze and seek funding to develop this long-distance passenger rail service.

The project is designed to be [an] Amtrak service delivered by federal funding, not local funds. It’s important to remember that the question of mill levy funding must be submitted to a vote of the people in each county that is a member and any member county can leave the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority at any time. With that, this truly is like an organizing vehicle and our participation is not in the interest of utilizing local taxes to fund something like this, but accessing the federal dollars that will bring Amtrak back.

How can railroads reduce political polarization—and facilitate a renewable energy revolution? Reconnect America is the new podcast from Solutionary Rail that presents a creative yet common-sense vision for U.S. railroads. It weaves together the genius of community and technical experts, workers and policymakers, advocates, and scholars. Reconnect America culminates a decade of research, writing, and advocacy to illuminate how the U.S. rail system can overcome its woes and address 21st-century problems. We are honored to have our Chairman, Commissioner Dave Strohmaier, featured. Reconnect America Trailer here.

While things happen on the federal level, Jason Stuart, Vice-Chair of Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority, continues to garner support from local entities. BSPRA spoke with the Bismarck-Mandan Metropolitan Planning Organization about passenger rail last month. ”The more buy-in we have, the faster it will get done,” said Stuart. Stuart does not anticipate the schedule being impacted by the upcoming election, adding that there is bipartisan support in the region for restoring the North Coast Hiawatha. BSPRA recently selected David Evans and Associates, Inc. to handle the route's planning and design. Once that is completed, Stuart said they can start a service development plan to figure out a schedule for stops. - Listen here: KFYR-TV.

Passengers are taking advantage of expanded rail service across the country, underscoring the demand for alternative modes of transportation. A renaissance for American rail travel is upon us. Amtrak is on track to set an annual record for ridership as of June. The national passenger railroad has served 24.1 million riders since the beginning of its fiscal year in October, up 18% from a year earlier. And travelers aren’t just flocking to Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor. Read more.

The EMPIRE BUILDER COLLECTION IS HERE with gratitude to Northern California graphic artist Michael Schwab. He created the original ‘Empire Builder’ artwork in 2003 for the Amtrak print ad campaign, which ran from 2004 through 2012. It was one of a series of works of art by the artist portraying the historic American train routes for Amtrak. By special arrangement, we are thrilled to offer these items to you to proudly support passenger rail in the Greater Northwest. https://www.bigskyrail.org/shop

And for those who have asked, we have the Greater Northwest Passenger Rail Collection, thanks to the generosity of Xplorer Maps and Greg and Chris Robitaille. These beautiful gifts support the revitalization of passenger rail in the Northwest.

Past & Upcoming Events

image: BSPRA Chairman Dave Strohmaier and Assistant Secretary for Tribal Government Affairs (USDOT) Arlando Teller at BSPRA Annual Meeting June 7th in Missoula.

It was a busy and productive summer for the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority, which kicked off in June with our annual conference in Missoula, MT. This year’s conference theme, “Revitalizing Communities and Building Sustainable Economies,” was well received by government officials, industry and labor leaders, tribal leaders, and advocates from around the country. We have included all of the recordings, press coverage, and feedback received thus far in this email. If you missed our Summer Newsletter with a Recap of our Annual Meeting, the link is here.

Federal Railroad Administrator (FRA) Deputy Administrator Jennifer Mitchell, Assistant Secretary for Tribal Government Affairs (USDOT) Arlando Teller, Rail Passengers Association President & CEO Jim Mathews, Director of PNWER Regional Infrastructure Accelerator, Bruce Agnew, FRA Chief of Project Planning Division, Lyle Leitelt, FRA Community Planner, Office of Railroad Development, Katie List, and many others, enlightened us about hydrogen fuel cell technology, engaging rural and tribal communities, and revitalizing and connecting communities and creating opportunities.

Image from left to right: Michelle Brackett, NonStopLocal, Jess Peterson, Executive Director, BSPRA, Representative Linda Nelson, Representative Denise Baum at Founders Award Presentation on August 6th at the Billings Depot.

Over 30 years ago, House Bill 541, which allowed counties to establish rail authorities, was passed into law. The legislation aimed to help ranchers and suppliers connect with consumers more efficiently and effectively. The same legislation is being used to establish Big Sky Passenger Rail as an official authority. But it couldn't have been done without Representative Linda Nelson, who wrote the 1993 bill. She was honored for her contribution with the first-ever Founders Award. Montana State Representative for House District 47 Denise Baum said that she is "absolutely thrilled that Big Sky Passenger Rail was thoughtful enough to recognize their starting point and the individual who started this project going forward or gave them the ability to move forward. And I think it's important to point out that when you have good bipartisan legislation, its impacts are unending." The next steps will be revitalizing railway stations and tracks in Montana, particularly in the Southeast, allowing rails that have sat unused for decades to take on new life and purpose for future generations. Also recognized in person in June were Mike Halligan and, posthumously, Dennis Nathe's family. Linda was unable to be present and was recognized this week in Billings. More here.

Link to Agenda

Link to Agenda & Registration

Upcoming Meetings/Events (all times MDT)

Board Meeting, September 11th, 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Governance, October 11th, 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Development & Strategic Engagement, October 17th, 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

Communications, October 18th, 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Executive Committee, November 6th, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

The Third Annual Greater Northwest Passenger Rail Summit, October 8th - 9th, Spokane, WA

RailNation:Tucson, November 1st - 3rd, Tucson, AZ

With gratitude,

Dave

Dave Strohmaier

Chair

BIG SKY PASSENGER RAIL AUTHORITY

406.258.3204

dstrohmaier@bigskyrail.org

Join the Movement and show your support!

BECOME A BIG SKY PASSENGER RAIL PARTNER - As a Big Sky Passenger Rail Partner, your brand reputation will be identified and aligned with a transformative movement poised to deliver substantial economic gains throughout this region. You will also tap into a coveted demographic of environmentally conscious, engaged supporters who recognize the importance of sustainable transportation infrastructure. Your partnership will enable you to engage directly with dedicated community and tribal leaders at the forefront of shaping a travel and tourism renaissance and enhancing this region's overall quality of life. Your contributions are impactful, tax-deductible, and align fully with responsible donor standards and practices. Learn more.

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