EBS STAFF
Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority announced that it is a sub-recipient of a $2 million U.S. Department of Transportation grant to the Pacific Northwest Economic Region. The BSPRA is the largest transportation district in Montana and holds its own subdivision in state government.
The grant aims to advance infrastructure development and on Oct. 13 awarded $2 million to the Pacific Northwest’s five state region: Alaska, Montana, Idaho, Oregon and Washington. These states comprise one of 10 U.S. Regional Infrastructure Accelerators, which funds critical transportation projects across the U.S.
With the $150,000 of grant money, BSPRA can conduct research on three goals.
The first project would assess “feasibility and economic case for renewing Amtrak assessing feasibility for renewing Amtrak small parcel delivery service” in Northern and Southern Montana, according to the news release. Through this, BSPRA will conclude whether the service would benefit economies in rural and tribal communities.
The second project would identify small to medium improvements to tracks in Northern Montana. The improvements would “co-benefit” freight and passenger rails.Lastly, funds will go towards analyzing tracks along a proposed Amtrak route. A section of track from Sandpoint, Idaho to Glendive, Montana will be studied for enhancing both freight and passenger rail. The project will also analyze how development could promote both safety and economy in rural and tribal communities.
