Big infrastructure bill promises billions to Montana projects

To understand how impactful a $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill is, all one needs to know is that the legislation is stirring discussions about a return of Amtrak passenger rail service across the southern part of Montana.

The southern route once connected communities like Fargo, Bismarck, Billings, Bozeman and Missoula as it passed between Chicago and Seattle. Known as the North Coast Hiawatha, it is a streamlined vessel submerged under 42 years of government actions unsupportive of long-distance rail in the West. It is a Titanic, if you will, complete with groups determined to bring it to the surface.

The infrastructure bill makes no promises of a southern route, but raises the possibility like nothing else has for at least a decade. A vote for passage of the bill is expected within days.

“What this does is direct the Secretary of Transportation to conduct a nationwide study of restoring long-distance passenger rail routes. And that includes $15 million for that study, a foundational piece. It’s a big deal,” said David Strohmaier, Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority chairman.