Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority awarded $150K grant to improve railroads

Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority announced that it received $150,000 regional grant to further high-performance rail across the region. The grant is the largest received by BSPRA to date. 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. Read more.