Rail Archives - Senator Steve Daines

Daines Moves Forward Investments in Montana Infrastructure

May 19, 2016

U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines today secured important investments in Montana air, rail and surface transportation. The U.S. Senate today overwhelmingly passed the bipartisan FY2017 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies (THUD) Appropriations Act to fund the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and related agencies in fiscal year 2017. “Infrastructure is an important part of our everyday lives, from our roads to the skies to our railways,” Daines stated. “I’m proud to secure investments to increase safety and create more good-paying jobs.” Daines’ moved forward the following provisions to

Daines Strengthens Montana’s Transportation Network

April 21, 2016

U.S. SENATE —Senator Steve Daines today worked to strengthen Montana’s transportation network. “Our transportation network from our roadways to our skies to our railways will be a safer form of travel for all Montanans,” Daines stated. “This legislation puts Montanans first and addresses concerns from all corners of our state to increase tourism and encourage economic development projects that create more good-paying jobs.” Daines successfully included important provisions to improve Montana air, rail and surface transportation in the FY2017 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies (THUD) Appropriations Act to fund the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), U.S. Department of Housing and

Daines Reaffirms Importance of Passenger Rail to Montana

February 23, 2016

Click here to watch Daines’ remarks. Click here to download Daines’ remarks. Senator Steve Daines today called on Amtrak President and Chief Executive Officer Joseph Boardman to work with Eastern Montana stakeholders on efforts to reinstate an Empire Builder stop in Culbertson, Montana. During this morning’s Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation hearing on passenger rail, Daines successfully received a commitment from Boardman to visit and work with local leaders to discuss modernizing the existing station or building a new station in Culbertson. Daines: “Mr. Boardman, the recent FAST Act is the longest surface transportation bill Congress has produced in 17 years, it

Daines Announces $10 Million in Funding for Infrastructure Improvements in Kalispell

October 26, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today announced that the city of Kalispell has been awarded $10 million in Transportation, Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant funds for critical infrastructure improvements in downtown Kalispell. The Glacier Rail Park/Kalispell Core Area Development and Trail Project will construct rail and road infrastructure at Glacier Rail Park to accommodate existing and prospective customers and remove rail from downtown Kalispell. The project will also increase pedestrian and cyclist access to streets, as well as construct a trail system and parks stretching across the community. “This long-overdue grant is great news for the city of Kalispell and will

Daines Investigates Pipeline Safety, PHMSA Reauthorization at Montana Field Hearing

September 18, 2015

BILLINGS, Mont. — Senator Steve Daines today held a Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation field hearing in Billings, Montana to discuss the upcoming reauthorization of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). The hearing examined current issues and challenges relating to the inspection and safe management of the nation’s pipeline network, as well as the importance of safely transporting our natural resources through pipelines, highways and rail lines. Daines and witnesses also examined the upcoming reauthorization of PHMSA and its efficacy in overseeing and enforcing federal regulations in light of recent pipeline ruptures in eastern Montana. “I’m thankful that we were

Daines Stresses Importance of Montana’s Freight Rail Network

January 28, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today sought to address the critical need for expanded rail capacity to support Montana jobs and key industries, such as agriculture and mining. During today’s Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee hearing on Freight Rail Transport, Daines pressed the panel on how to improve track capacity and maximize efficiency on our nation’s rail system. “80 percent of our wheat crop is exported overseas, so it’s our connection from rails to the ports that allows us to grow jobs and support Montana farmers,” Daines stated during today’s hearing. Immediately prior to today’s