Overview

MDT has limited interaction with railroads operating within the state. Generally, MDT’s involvement with rail and rail issues includes:

• Improvements to highway rail grade crossings.
• Maintaining an inventory of all public rail/road crossings and prioritization improvements.
• Managing the Montana Essential Freight Rail Loan Program for rail construction and rehabilitation projects on light density rail lines or related infrastructure.
• Negotiations with rail owners for right-of-way for construction of state roadway improvements near or across rail lines.
• Continual support for the preservation of existing passenger rail service, Amtrak’s Empire Builder, in state.
• Requests for information (oil & coal trains, Amtrak, rail abandonment).
• Owns the track between Moccasin and Geraldine and lease to Central Montana Railroad.
• Participate in the Great Northern Corridor Coalition. MDT applied for and received grants on behalf of stakeholders for a two-phase study for the Great Northern Corridor.

MDT has no jurisdiction over the railroads in Montana or operates any of the rail lines.

Rail Related Plans and Studies

• Amtrak’s Daily Long-Distance Service Study
• 2016 Rail Grade Separation Study (archived*)
• 2010 State Rail Plan (archived*)
• 2010 Feasibility Report on Proposed Amtrak Services in Southern Montana (archived*)
• 2009 Amtrak North Coast Hiawatha Passenger Rail Study (archived*)
• Analysis of the Economic Impacts of the Amtrak Empire Builder to Montana (archived*)