Lake County joins Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority as federal study kicks off

Lake County this week became the newest member of the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority, bringing the organization’s membership to 18 counties, three tribes and Amtrak. The authority’s momentum is well-timed with millions of dollars in federal funding earmarked for increasing long-distance passenger rail, such as the old North Coast Hiawatha that once crossed Montana’s southern tier.

“Lake County’s entrance into the authority further demonstrates how passenger rail transcends typical political and ideological divides,” said rail authority chairman Dave Strohmaier. “It’s something that the Federal Railroad Administration has taken note of as they are poised to kick off a nationwide study of restoring discontinued Amtrak routes.” Read more