Dear Friends and Colleagues,

A lot has happened since our last update, and you deserve a full accounting.

The Big Sky North Coast Corridor is moving, and so is the national conversation about the future of long-distance passenger rail.

We now have a dedicated landing page for the Greater Northwest Rail Summit and BSPRA Annual Conference in Helena this August, and our 2025 Annual Report is in production.

Below is a snapshot of where we stand — from new legislation to a major milestone in our federal planning program, new partnerships, new infrastructure wins, and some leadership changes worth recognizing.

And we have two time-sensitive asks at the close. Please read to the end.

We hope you can join us in Helena!

Warmly,
Dave

Dave Strohmaier Chair, Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority

dstrohmaier@bigskyrailmt.gov | 406.258.3200

CORRIDOR UPDATE

Corridor ID Program: Step 2 Is on the Horizon

BSPRA is nearing the completion of the core foundational work under Step 1 of the FRA’s Corridor Identification and Development (CID) Program and is now preparing for Step 2 — the phase that gets into the serious technical detail: ridership modeling, station site planning, capital needs estimation, and a full benefit-cost analysis.

Step 2 will give the corridor something it has never had before: a federally recognized, quantified plan. That plan is what moves the Big Sky North Coast Corridor from a compelling proposal to a fundable project.

We've also released an updated Corridor ID map showing the full potential route from Chicago to Seattle/Portland through southern Montana — and the six overlapping CIDP corridors that share this national spine. The corridor's geographic and economic significance is visible at a glance.

→ View the Corridor ID Program: bigskyrailmt.gov/corridorid

PARTNERSHIPS

Teaming with AIPRO Rail on Legislative Reform

BSPRA is deepening its alignment with AIPRO Rail (aiprorail.org), a national organization advancing policy and legislative reforms to strengthen passenger rail nationwide. That collaboration matters because the policy reforms being discussed nationally could directly affect the future of our corridor.

Critically, AIPRO's coalition includes rail labor unions — bringing organized labor's voice directly into the policy conversation. Passenger rail restoration is not just an infrastructure question; it is a workforce and labor question. Having labor at the table strengthens the case for every reform we are pursuing, including the legislative tools needed to advance long-distance corridors like ours.

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

CRISI/WTI Workforce Initiative: Labor Input Underway

BSPRA's partnership with the Western Transportation Institute (WTI) at Montana State University — funded through a $6.4 million FRA CRISI grant — is well underway. The initiative focuses on rail workforce development: building the pipeline of trained workers that future passenger rail expansion will actually require.

The work goes beyond abstract studies. Rail labor is actively engaged in shaping the initiative — connecting education, training, unions, and the rail industry so that planning for restored service includes planning for the people who will operate it.

This is what serious corridor development looks like: not just counting trains, but building the human capacity to run them.

→ Read the CRISI announcement: einpresswire.com/article/856147644

COMMUNITY VOICES

Hi-Line Community Engagement Report Now Published

We have posted the Hi-Line Community Engagement Report, prepared by Trillium Cooperative with support from the U.S. Department of Transportation Build America Bureau Regional Infrastructure Accelerator program, in partnership with the Pacific NorthWest Economic Region-Regional Infrastructure Accelerator (PNWER-RIA).

The report summarizes community input gathered in October–November 2025 from Montana's Hi-Line corridor communities served by the Empire Builder. It documents what residents and local leaders said directly: reliability, affordability, accessibility, and end-to-end connectivity are critical. So are practical, on-the-ground realities like station experience and last-mile transportation.

This is the kind of on-the-ground evidence that strengthens the case for better service and better infrastructure. We encourage you to read it and share it widely.

→ Read the Hi-Line Report: bigskyrailmt.gov/hi-line-engagement-report

INFRASTRUCTURE

Havre Grant Application Submitted

BSPRA is a co-applicant with Amtrak on the Havre Terminal Passenger and Freight Efficiency Project under the FRA's National Railroad Partnership Program (NRPP). The proposed $51 million project — with a $40.8 million federal request — would construct approximately six miles of second mainline track east of the Havre terminal.

The new track would allow freight inspections and fueling to happen away from the passenger platform — eliminating the direct conflicts between freight and passenger operations that currently cause cascading delays along the entire Empire Builder corridor. Partners: Amtrak, BNSF, and BSPRA.

INFRASTRUCTURE WIN

Malta Corridor Project: Grant Obligated, Agreement Executed

The Malta, MT Corridor Operational Enhancement Project has reached a major milestone: the Federal Railroad Administration has formally obligated the FY22–23 Federal-State Partnership grant, and Amtrak and BNSF have executed an agreement covering project roles and responsibilities. Construction will hopefully begin in 2026.

The $18.6 million project addresses two specific bottlenecks in the Malta-to-Glasgow region: a new center crossover at Malta station that eliminates a dangerous reverse-switching maneuver, and an extension of the Bowdoin siding from 8,106 feet to 16,000 feet. Both changes reduce the cascading delays that ripple across the entire Empire Builder route — from Chicago to Seattle/Portland — every time trains are forced to wait.

LEADERSHIP

Board Leadership: Transitions, Gratitude, and New Voices

We want to take a moment to recognize three Directors who have stepped down from the BSPRA board, and to welcome the communities and leaders stepping into this work.

With gratitude — stepping down:

Terry Jennings, Powell County — Terry's steady representation of Powell County helped ground the Authority in the communities the corridor will serve. We are grateful for his years of commitment.

Scott MacFarlane, Gallatin County — Scott brought Gallatin Valley's growing voice to the table at a pivotal time for the corridor. His contribution to our coalition-building work is deeply appreciated.

Roger Webb, Stillwater County — Roger's service to the Authority represented southeastern Montana's stake in this corridor. We thank him for his time and his commitment to the work.

Norma Gourneau, Northern Cheyenne Tribe – Norma has served as the ex officio director representing the Northern Cheyenne Tribe. Her wisdom and insight have demonstrated the importance of passenger rail for rural and tribal communities across the West.

Note: The Gallatin County seat is currently open. Interested in representing your community on the BSPRA board? Contact us at hello@bigskyrailmt.gov.

Welcome — new voices:

Jacquie Lavelle joins as Powell County's new Director, bringing fresh leadership to a county with deep roots along the corridor.

Charlene Bucha joins as Director representing Granite County, which has rejoined the Authority. Granite County's return strengthens our representation in western Montana and reflects growing momentum across the region.

Joel Moranton joins as the new Director representing Stillwater County, bringing additional southeastern Montana leadership to the board.

ADVOCACY ON RECORD

We've Been Showing Up — Across the Region

BSPRA has submitted formal comments to regional rail planning processes in Idaho, Minnesota, Oregon, and the Fargo-Moorhead area — making the case for the North Coast Corridor in every planning conversation where our route's future is at stake.

We’ve archived all of these letters on our website, so the full record of BSPRA’s regional engagement is public and easy to follow.

→ View All Regional Comments: bigskyrailmt.gov/regional-rail-plan-comments

CLOSES APRIL 10 AT NOON MT — URGENT ACTION

Montana Is Asking. Please Answer.

The Montana Legislature's Transportation Interim Committee (TIC) is conducting a statewide study on public transportation, authorized by Senate Joint Resolution 19 (2025). The survey takes about 10 minutes and closes at noon on Friday, April 10.

BSPRA testified before the TIC in January to make the case for integrated rail planning. Now the committee wants to hear directly from the public — and passenger rail needs to be part of that. If you're outside Montana, please forward this to anyone you know who lives there.

→ Take the TIC Survey Now: surveymonkey.com/r/VSYDGX6

2026 Greater Northwest Rail Summit and BSPRA Annual Conference 
August 25 - 27 Helena, MT 

The Greater Northwest Passenger Rail Summit, held in conjunction with the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority’s Annual Conference, August 25–27, 2026, in Helena, Montana. This three-day gathering will convene leaders and stakeholders from across the rail industry, government, manufacturing, tourism, and community development sectors for timely discussions on the future of passenger and freight rail in Montana and across the Greater Northwest. Agenda & speakers coming soon!

Limited Edition Greater Northwest Passenger Rail Fine Art Print by Xplorer Maps
Signed & Numbered by Artist Chris Robitaille – Only 50 Ever Made

This first-of-its-kind collaboration between Xplorer Maps and the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority celebrates the Greater Northwest Passenger Rail Corridor with exquisite, hand-drawn detail. The result is a unique piece of art that effectively "tells the story" of the Greater Northwest Passenger Rail project and the return of passenger rail across the Big Sky North Coast Corridor. Each giclée print is:

Signed & numbered (1–50) by the artist

Printed on 100% Museo Max cotton rag heavyweight paper – guaranteed never to fade

Sized 32.5" x 16.5" (unframed)

FREE SHIPPING while the final prints last. Order your signed & numbered print now 

Ways YOU Can Help Build the Big Sky North Coast Corridor

Business Partner

Align your brand with the transformative movement to restore passenger rail across the Greater Northwest. As a Business Partner, you’ll engage civic, tribal, and business leaders—while supporting economic growth, tourism, and rural connectivity. Your contribution is impactful, tax-deductible, and rooted in community-centered values.
Business & Organization Partner Program

Government Partner
 

Join the growing network of counties, cities, and tribal governments committed to bringing back passenger rail. Membership amplifies your community’s voice, connects you with regional leaders, and demonstrates leadership in sustainable economic development.
Government Partner Program

Big Sky Rail Foundation 

The Foundation enables us to match federal grants, fund outreach, and design the Corridor. Every dollar moved through the Foundation unlocks significant federal investment—and advances us toward restoring passenger rail service.
Read our Case for Support

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