Empire Builder's Future Uncertain

Friends and Neighbors,

The Empire Builder has been a life-line in northern Montana for decades, however another cloud hangs over the Passenger Service. There is effort to re-establish the Southern Mt. Hiawatha Passenger Service (terminated 1979) from Chicago to Sand Point Idaho, by creating the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority. It will comprise of counties from Dawson Co. (Glendive) to Missoula Co. Once established another study will ensue, then funding and approval of the Southern route by Congress will be sought. I'm not going into detail, as one can get details - log into Big Sky Passenger Rail Service.

I'm not an alarmist, but I am a realist, I would like to share some thoughts, as to what this campaign means for the future of the Empire Builder. Please know I have been involved in this issue for decades.

We have always had to defend the existence of the Empire Builder as Congress would cut its funding every budgeting cycle, then funding would be added back in after some real scrutinizing. It was called O-Based Budgeting of which I don't have a problem with, if only Congress would practice it across the board. I don't have to tell you, funding is all important, Amtrak is proposing to reduce its service to three days a week, starting Oct. 15.

A little history is in order to give one a perspective:

While the effort to re-establish the Hiawatha Route dates back decades, it received new life when Gov. Schweitzer hosted a meeting in 2007, at which time, the Gov. along with Sen. Baucus, Sen. Tester and Cong. Rehberg endorsed the effort. Sen. Tester introduced a bill in Congress that included $340 million, however we were successful at keeping the bill in Senate Finance and Claims.

Legislation has been introduced in every Mt Legislative session since 2007, each time the bills were defeated except for 2019 when Rep. Andrea Olson (Missoula) introduced legislation to study the issue and create a Mt Passenger Rail Commission.

In Sept. 2019, the Transportation Interim Comm considered HJ 34 and decided not to do the study. Yet in Jan. 2020 Rep Olson (who sits on the committee) moved for a reconsideration of the committee action. They agreed to take it up at the April meeting at which time they yet again voted not to do the study.

I'm not speaking for the lawmakers, but my consensus has been that they have rejected all legislation since 2017 on the basis that two Passenger Rail Services won't be funded. Here's what is at stake if the Authority ever comes to pass and they are successful in their mission to re-establish the Hiawatha Southern Route: "The Empire Builder will be jeopardized."

To substantiate my assertion, I remind you of what happened when I 94 was completed in Montana (about 1976), 30 percent of the traffic was diverted from Hwy 2 to I 94. People started leaving, businesses closed and communities began to die. THEY HAVE NEVER RECOVERED.

Remember, it was a government action that disenfranchised northern Montana and no one has ever been held to account. Here's where the politics comes in, you should know that the original plan for the Eisenhower Interstate was to run through northern Montana, but the political might existed in southern Montana, so I 94 went South.

That is exactly what will happen if the Hiawatha Passenger Service is re-established, of which has the support of Gov. Bullock, Sen. Tester, Sen. Daines and Cong. Gianforte, it will take passengers away from the Northern Route and because of the Political Might of Southern Montana, it's quite evident which route will survive.

The most egregious statement coming out of the Authority Group is - "This is not about either/or Passenger Service, but having two Passenger Rail Services." Folks don't believe that for one minute, fast forward to that day if there are two routes and they have to compete for funding, with the political might in the south, we know what the outcome will be. Their support for northern Montana will have evaporated.

In support of my assertion, I'll cite what Rep. Ron Erickson, (Missoula) stated during the 2017 Legislature, "There's nothing going on in northern Montana so why should we be spending money there?"

So where from here??? We the people in northern Montana have to become engaged. I was disappointed that I was the only one to show up at each session, to oppose the bills.

Here's the point, if I'm the only one in northern Montana who cares why should anyone else care?? I would suggest writing letters to our elected officials, be prepared for the 2021 Legislative Session because there will be legislation introduced, mark my word.

I'm involved because I care about Northern Montana, I'm an optimist, I'm bullish on the Region because of its abundance of Natural Resources, its Modern, Productive Agriculture and Tourism with a potential not yet realized.

Sure we have challenges, like constructing an adequate Hwy 2 so communities can compete for and attract business but that's a doable, let's get'er done.

Sincerely,

Bob Sivertsen

Havre, Mont.