Congratulations to BSPRA Executive Director Jess Peterson on being named the 2026 Distinguished Alumni Award recipient by Miles Community College. Jess will be recognized at MCC’s May 2 commencement ceremony and will also serve as the commencement speaker.
www.northernag.net/peterson-nam...
S. 3728 needs constituent pressure now. Malta is funded. The Corridor ID Program is advancing. The Greater Northwest Rail Summit is coming to Helena this August.
Links to all calls to action in the full update.
A graphic showing the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority logo above a map of the Big Sky North Coast Corridor potential route, stretching from the Pacific Northwest through Montana to Chicago, with overlapping CIDP corridors and a detailed legend.
The Big Sky North Coast Corridor is moving forward and so is the national conversation about the future of passenger rail.
bigskyrailmt.gov/spring-2026-update
Map of the proposed Hiawatha West Corridor showing Amtrak service extending west from Milwaukee to Madison, with temporary station locations in Waukesha County, Watertown and Madison, and existing service continuing south to Chicago and northwest toward St. Paul.
Amtrak is hosting a public webinar on Hiawatha West.
This map shows the corridor being advanced from Milwaukee toward Madison and beyond — part of the broader east-west passenger rail spine tied to the Big Sky North Coast Corridor.
April 14
amtraknewera.com/hiawatha-west/
#PassengerRail
Democracy Summit graphic from the University of Montana with the theme “Moving from Isolation to Social Connection,” the April 14, 2026 event date, University Center location, a crowd image, and a QR code for more information.
Connection shapes everyday life: access to health care, education, jobs, and community.
BSPRA is pleased to be part of the University of Montana Democracy Summit on April 14, focused on moving from isolation to social connection.
www.umt.edu/strategy/dem...
#DemocracySummit #PassengerRail
Infographic titled “Malta, MT Corridor Operational Enhancement Project” showing an Amtrak train and explaining an $18.6 million project to improve rail infrastructure in Montana. It outlines benefits like reducing delays and improving safety, describes two components including a new crossover in Malta and a siding extension in Bowdoin, and includes a timeline from 2024 to 2025 with Amtrak, BNSF, and BSPRA as stakeholders.
Amtrak recently shared confirmation of funding. Apologies for the delay>
We are grateful for the local leaders, partners, advocates, and community members who continue to help shape the future of passenger rail in Montana.
Montana State Fair Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority booth at the Montana State Fair with Chair David Strohmaier, citizen volunteer Jim Gillan, and Dan Bucks.
Pint night in Missoula Community members gathered at a passenger rail pint night in Missoula with a display map of the Greater Northwest passenger rail corridor.
Montana State Capitol BSPRA Chair David Strohmaier and Vice Chair Jason Stuart standing in front of the Montana State Capitol building in Helena, Montana, with the equestrian statue of Thomas Francis Meagher in the foreground.
BNSF appreciation train Rep. Denise Baum with BSPRA Chair David Strohmaier and Vice Chair Jason Stuart on the BNSF appreciation train.
Today is a good day to celebrate Montana’s communities, landscapes, and connections across this extraordinary state. From small towns to larger cities, passenger rail is part of a broader vision for mobility, access, and long-term opportunity.
The article outlines progress on the Big Sky North Coast Corridor, including federal legislation that would reduce barriers to advancing long-distance routes through the Corridor ID program.
Recent coverage highlights continued efforts to advance passenger rail through Bozeman, Livingston, and communities across southern Montana.
www.bozemandailychronicle.com/news/propone...
100+ House members are calling for full funding of Amtrak and key rail programs.
An encouraging signal for passenger rail and corridor development nationwide.
#PassengerRail #Amtrak
www.trains.com/pro/passenge...
Please also share the printable poster in your community.
Black-and-white Montana Transportation Interim Committee poster announcing a public transportation survey in Montana, with QR code, survey link, and deadline of 12 PM noon on Friday, April 10, 2026.
Montanans: the TIC public survey is STILL open. If passenger rail, public transportation, rural mobility, and transportation access matter to you, please take a few minutes to complete the survey by 12 PM noon on Friday, April 10, 2026. Survey: www.surveymonkey.com/r/VSYDGX6
Transportation is a social determinant of health. In rural communities, it can determine whether people get to treatment at all.
For many people in Northwest Montana, care means traveling long distances from rural communities. When transportation is unreliable or too costly, appointments can be delayed or missed.
A small grant with a bigger message.
Logan Health in Kalispell received a $15,000 American Cancer Society grant to help cancer patients with transportation to treatment.
www.logan.org/logan-health...
A new piece highlights Chinook’s Hi-Line history and notes access via the Empire Builder through nearby Havre.
Chinook is a good example of why passenger rail planning should consider more than population alone. Small towns, museums, festivals, fairs, and seasonal travel all matter too. www.islands.com/2125961/chin...
Helena MPO transit survey graphic showing a purple accessible transit bus parked outside a Helena transit facility beneath the headline “Help shape Helena’s transit!” and the call to action “Take the transit survey.
Transit planning should reflect community needs.
The Greater Helena Area MPO is seeking public input on transit needs and priorities through March 20. If you live, work, travel, or access services in the Helena region, please take a moment to complete a survey.
www.greaterhelenampo.com/Plans/LRTP
The piece also highlights the broader effort to strengthen regional connections through passenger rail.
#BigSkyRail #PassengerRail #Montana #Rural #Tribal #MultiModal
Passenger rail conversations continue across western Montana.
Clark Fork Valley Press & Mineral Independent recently covered a discussion in Mineral County about restoring passenger rail along Montana’s historic southern route.
vp-mi.com/news/2026/ma...
Now posted: BSPRA’s Hi-Line Community Engagement Report prepared by Trillium Cooperative, supported through USDOT Build America Bureau RIA work with PNWER. Full report: bigskyrailmt.gov/hi-line-enga...
Agenda topics include updates on Corridor ID and S.3728, a briefing by the Association for Innovative Passenger Rail Operations (www.aiprorail.org), the 2026 Annual Conference, PNWER-RIA and CRISI grants, Malta and Havre projects, and committee reports.
The Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority Board will meet on Wednesday, March 11, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. MST.
The meeting is open to the public.
Agenda and join link: bigskyrailmt.gov/upcoming-mee...
#PassengerRail #BigSkyNorthCoastCorridor #Montana
We need your voice: bigskyrailmt.gov/take-action
Full release: bigskyrailmt.gov/releases
@billingsgazette.com @dailymontanan.com @montanafreepress.org
S. 3728 removes the non-federal match barrier that can stop long-distance corridors even when the work is real. Introduced by Senators Sheehy and @merkley.senate.gov — Republican and Democrat united on passenger rail.
The Big Sky North Coast Corridor is not just about Montana. We are positioned to demonstrate that the federal planning process can actually lead to implementation.
Pictured: BSPRA Chairman Dave Strohmaier and Corridor ID Team Lead Jeff Schultz of David Evans & Associates, on Capitol Hill
Montana State Legislature logo
QR code to take Montana Legislature Transportation Interim Committee transportation survey
Montana Legislature Transportation Interim Committee survey is open for public input on statewide transportation priorities.
Survey background and link:
content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MTL...
Daily Montanan coverage:
dailymontanan.com/briefs/lawma...
#Montana #PublicTransportation #RuralMobility