Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority

We are pleased to share and participate! Thanks to our friends and colleagues at Rail Passengers Association PNWER Regional Infrastructure Accelerator ALL ABOARD WASHINGTON All Aboard Northwest FYI Bradley Warren Vern Raincock Ian Alvano Alex McCollum ALL ABOARD MINNESOTA Via Rio Grande

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

You must be a MEDA member to submit a nomination. #MEDA #Montana #Leadership #BigSkyCountry #TreasureState

From August 19th Helena This Week - Montana Free Press 3 Questions For Commissioner Emily Dean The Helena City Commission agreed to join the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority earlier this month 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 constituents' comments 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 voices of our constituents are part of the conversation about the renewal of Amtrak service through our communities. It's important to remember that the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority is the organizing entity, or 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. Any member county can leave the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority anytime. With that, this truly is like an organizing vehicle. Our participation is not in the interest of utilizing local taxes to fund something like this but in accessing the federal dollars that will bring Amtrak back.

Bismarck-Mandan Metropolitan Planning Organization Tuesday, August 20th (you can register to attend remotely) 1:30 PM 5:00 PM Mandan City Hall - Room 205 The City of Bismarck, ND and Policy Board members are encouraging citizens to provide their comments for public hearing items on the Bismarck-Mandan Metropolitan Planning Organization Policy Board agenda via email to [email protected]. Please include which item number your comment references. It will be sent to the members, as well as placed with the minutes. To ensure your comments are received prior to the meeting, please submit them by 5:00 pm 1 business day prior to the meeting. If you would like to participate via video or audio link for a 3-5 minute comment on a regular agenda public hearing item, please provide your name, agenda item and e-mail address to the above e-mail at least 3 days before the meeting. Individuals wishing to participate via ZOOM should email contact information to [email protected] at least 3 days in advance of the meeting to receive a meeting invite tailored uniquely to them. As always, live meeting coverage is available on Government Access Channels 2 & 602HD or streaming live and archived online at https://ow.ly/xmh050T0oxW. Agenda items can be found online at https://lnkd.in/gkq9SGsD Item #9 is the FEDERAL RAIL ADMINISTRATION LONG DISTANCE STUDY/BIG SKY PASSENGER RAIL AUTHORITY GOVERNMENT PARTNERS PROGRAM – Kim Riepl, MPO & Jason Stuart, BSPRA Presentation (Exhibit F)

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 aimed at illuminating how the U.S. rail system can overcome its woes and address 21st-century problems. We are honored to have our Chairman, David Strohmaier, featured. FYI Rail Passengers Association Federal Railroad Administration Amtrak BNSF Railway All Aboard Northwest ALL ABOARD WASHINGTON ALL ABOARD MINNESOTA All Aboard Wisconsin All Aboard Arizona All Aboard Ohio Pacific NorthWest Economic Region (PNWER) WEST CENTRAL WISCONSIN RAIL COALITION AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF PRIVATE RAILROAD CAR OWNERS, High Speed Rail Alliance https://ow.ly/PRZw50SXhwM

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 will be talking with the Bismarck-Mandan Metropolitan Planning Organization later this month about passenger rail. ”The more buy-in we have, the faster it will get done,” said Stuart. Stuart said he 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. Last month, the BSPRA selected David Evans and Associates to handle the planning and designing of the route. Once that is completed, Stuart said they can start a service development plan to figure out a schedule for stops. - KFYR-TV FYI The Bismarck Tribune City of Dickinson, ND Dickinson Convention & Visitors Bureau City of Mandan North Dakota North Dakota Department of Transportation Montana Department of Transportation All Aboard Northwest ALL ABOARD MINNESOTA ALL ABOARD WASHINGTON Bismarck, North Dakota https://ow.ly/YkWz50SXLq2

Today, the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority (BSPRA) announced that the City of Helena, Montana 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. FYI Visit Helena Montana Helena Area Chamber of Commerce Helena Area Chamber & Visitor Center Helena Independent Record https://lnkd.in/g45gs3VA

Over thirty 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. Now, 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. - KULR 8 https://ow.ly/jpgg50STg6L

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. https://ow.ly/QE7e50SSuhq