Montana Rail Authority to Host September Conference as Federal Support Grows

LIVINGSTON, MT — Montana’s push to restore passenger rail service across the Northern Rockies has gained significant federal recognition and bipartisan political support, setting the stage for a pivotal conference in Livingston next month.

The Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority will host its annual conference Sept. 8-10, bringing together transportation leaders, community advocates, and policymakers to advance the restoration of the former North Coast Hiawatha route. The gathering carries new weight after the project’s acceptance into the Federal Railroad Administration’s Corridor ID program.

U.S. Senator Tim Sheehy will deliver virtual remarks at the conference, highlighting conservative support for the rail restoration effort that spans from Chicago to Seattle and Portland through southern Montana.

“This isn’t just another meeting,” said Dave Strohmaier, BSPRA chair. “We’ve shown that expanding passenger rail across the Greater Northwest is possible — and this conference is where we turn that momentum into the next chapter of action.”

The conference theme — “Turning Our Voices Into Action” — reflects the project’s evolution from grassroots advocacy to federal recognition. Over the past year, the Big Sky North Coast Corridor has secured its place in the FRA’s corridor development program while building partnerships across eight states and numerous tribal nations.

Conference speakers will include John Robert Smith from Transportation for America, Bruce Agnew from the Pacific Northwest Economic Region, and Knox Ross from the Southern Rail Commission, along with representatives from Amtrak and regional governments.

Sessions will explore how expanded passenger rail service can boost local economies, grow tourism, and connect rural and urban communities across Montana. The original North Coast Hiawatha served Montana communities including Billings, Bozeman, and Missoula until budget cuts eliminated the service in 1979.

The authority has been building momentum through its Government Partners Program, which recently added the City of Belgrade to its coalition. Belgrade joins multiple Montana jurisdictions working on the rail restoration effort, which operates under the federal Corridor ID Program framework.

“As a fast-growing hub at the crossroads of air, rail, and highway infrastructure, their participation strengthens our coalition and demonstrates what’s possible when Montana communities lead with vision and collaboration,” Strohmaier said of Belgrade’s involvement.

The authority is funding its current efforts primarily through a $500,000 planning grant from the Federal Railroad Administration’s Corridor Identification and Development Program, created by the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The grant supports route planning, cost estimates, and service development for the restored line.

To access larger federal grants in the future, the authority must secure matching funds. The group supported legislation in the 2025 Montana Legislature to dedicate a portion of the state’s railroad car tax toward the effort, though that measure fell short in the Senate.

The Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority, formed in 2020, represents Montana’s first regional passenger rail authority and operates as a multijurisdictional government agency representing counties, cities, and tribal nations along the proposed corridor.

Early-bird registration for the Livingston conference ends Monday, Aug. 25, at 11:59 p.m. Registration information is available at bigskyrail.org.

“We’re proud to partner with BSPRA and contribute to the growing momentum behind the Big Sky North Coast Corridor,” said Neil Cardwell, Belgrade City Manager. “Passenger rail offers lasting economic and mobility benefits for our community, and we’re excited to help shape the future of this corridor.”