Helena will host transportation, business, and government officials for conversations on passenger rail, freight, economic growth, and regional ties.
HELENA, MT, UNITED STATES, July 16, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — From August 25 through 27, leaders in transportation from across the western United States and Canada will converge in Helena for the 2026 Greater Northwest Rail Summit and Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority Annual Conference. This three-day gathering will explore how both passenger and freight rail are fueling economic development, boosting regional connectivity, supporting workforce growth, and broadening transportation options throughout the Greater Northwest.
The Summit is organized by the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority (BSPRA) together with the Pacific Northwest Economic Region (PNWER)'s Regional Infrastructure Accelerator. It will bring together federal and state officials, Tribal leaders, railroads, transportation agencies, business and manufacturing interests, tourism organizations, local governments, passenger rail advocates, and community partners to examine some of the most important transportation initiatives currently underway across the region.
A central theme of the conference will be the Big Sky North Coast Corridor — the federally designated project aimed at restoring passenger rail service between Chicago and Seattle/Portland via southern Montana and North Dakota. This corridor is among the most substantial long-distance passenger rail restoration efforts in the nation and holds the potential to reconnect communities, expand travel options, improve rural mobility, and sustain long-term economic development across an eight-state area.
"Rail is more than transportation. It is an investment in our communities, our economy, and our future," said BSPRA Chair Dave Strohmaier. "The Greater Northwest Rail Summit provides a unique opportunity to bring together public and private sector leaders to strengthen regional partnerships, exchange ideas, and continue building momentum for modern passenger and freight rail throughout the West."
The Summit agenda includes discussions on federal and state transportation policy, Corridor Identification and Development (Corridor ID), freight and passenger rail investment, economic development, tourism, manufacturing, workforce development, and regional collaboration. Attendees will also receive updates on major passenger rail initiatives such as the Big Sky North Coast Corridor, Amtrak Cascades, Borealis, Front Range Passenger Rail, and Alberta's long-range passenger rail planning.
Confirmed speakers at this time include Tim Sheehy, U.S. Senator (MT-R); Michael Rutherford, Assistant Secretary of Transportation for Multimodal Freight; Michael Giordano, Senior Advisor to U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy; Elaine Clegg, Amtrak Board Member; Rebecca Higgins, Vice President of the Eno Center for Transportation; Sean Jeans-Gail, Vice President of the Rail Passengers Association; and Art Guzzetti, Vice President of the American Public Transportation Association. Additional speakers from the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Railroad Administration, Amtrak, Class I freight railroads, state departments of transportation, and regional transportation organizations are still being announced.
The conference will also feature BSPRA's Annual Board Meeting and an opening reception inside the historic Montana State Capitol Rotunda.
Registration is now open. Transportation professionals, elected officials, local governments, Tribal representatives, economic development organizations, business leaders, tourism professionals, rail industry representatives, passenger rail advocates, and anyone interested in the future of transportation throughout the Greater Northwest are invited to register.
For registration details, the latest agenda, hotel information, and speaker updates, visit:
https://bigskyrailmt.gov/2026-gnwrs-bspra-annual-meeting
About the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority
The Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority is a multi-county regional transportation district working to restore long-distance passenger rail service through the Big Sky North Coast Corridor while strengthening regional mobility, economic opportunity, and community connectivity throughout the Greater Northwest. BSPRA serves as the project manager for the eight-state Big Sky North Coast Corridor under the Federal Railroad Administration's Corridor Identification and Development Program.
About PNWER
The Pacific Northwest Economic Region (PNWER) is a statutory public-private partnership representing U.S. states and Canadian provinces and territories across the Pacific Northwest. PNWER works to strengthen regional cooperation, economic development, trade, transportation, and infrastructure through collaboration among public and private sector partners.
Kim E Whittemore
Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority
+1 781-258-1116
kwhittemore@bigskyrailmt.gov
Visit us on social media:
LinkedIn
Facebook
