Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority submits proposal for southern Montana passenger rail service

"We've heard from communities that really saw a decline in their economies and vitality when passenger rail went away 43 years ago," said Missoula County Commissioner and chair of the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority Dave Strohmaier. "And they are super excited about the opportunity to capitalize on restoration of rail as a mode of transportation to breathe life into their main streets and downtown cores." Strohmaier said the proposal submission is the first big step.

The Federal Railroad Administration's Corridor Identification and Development Program can support 30 or more Amtrak routes to bring back from retirement. Being selected would include a $500,000 grant for predevelopment planning. Read more.