WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, federal officials announced a new round of funding for passenger rail projects. It’s part of a larger push to expand and restore service, including an old Amtrak route that once made stops across North Dakota, including Fargo and Bismarck, until it was canceled several decades ago.
The Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority has been working on the proposal for three years. Authority Chairman Dave Stromaier says they were awarded seed money last year and continue to work on restoring the southern Amtrak line.
There’s an Amtrak route still operating that crosses northern North Dakota. But Strohmaier says returning stops to the southern half would help those communities with tourism while getting rural residents to medical appointments in larger cities.
The latest funding is for competitive grants. Regional leaders indicate they’ll bypass this round because it doesn’t align with their plan. More funding will be needed once they move past the planning stage for the southern route.
Project leaders emphasize the new project would not disrupt North Dakota’s current Amtrak route, the Empire Builder.
Strohmaier says if all the stars align, the restored service could be up and running within the next decade. Potential complications include overcoming a shortage of manufactured train cars in the U-S.
Comments