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US Rep. Suzan DelBene (WA)
Sen. Curtis King, WA Legislature
Sen. Marko Liias, WA Legislature
Sen. Jeff Wilson, WA Legislature
Sen. Chris Gorsek, OR Legislature
Rep. Andrew Barkis, WA Legislature
Rep. Jake Fey, WA Legislature
Al French, Spokane County Commission
Jason Biggs, Washington Department of Transportation
Lois Bollenback, Spokane Regional Transportation Council
Bre Brush, City of Boise
Martin Charlo, CSKT
Elaine Clegg, Valley Regional Transit (Boise), Amtrak board nominee
Jenny Dresler, Oregon Rail Users' League
Eric Ffitch, Washington Public Ports Association
Peter Friedmann, Agriculture Transportation Coalition
Kathy Griesmyer, City of Boise
Jordan Hess, Former Mayor of Missoula (MT)
Chris Herman, Washington Public Ports Association
Jeff Hymas, Savage Co.
Bill Jenkin, Prosser Vineyard
Ross Lane, Genesee & Wyoming
Dr. Breck Lebegue, WA Physicians for Social Responsibility
Tom Martinelli, Content Studio New York
Jim Mathews, Rail Passengers Association
Neil Moyer, Surface Transportation Board
John Robert Smith, Transportation for America
Dave Strohmaier, Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority
Anna Zivarts, Week Without Driving/Author, When Driving Isn't An Option
Abe Zumwalt, David Evans & Associates
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Tuesday, Oct. 8 | Day 1
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7:00am
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Registration Opens
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8:00am
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Breakfast Served
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8:30am - 8:45am
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Welcome
- Brief background, quick overview of PNWER RIA
- Vision for the event, objectives, outcomes
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8:45am - 9:00am
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Spokane as a Rail Hub
The capital of the Inland Empire, Spokane is a hub for commerce, tourism, and freight movement. Welcoming us to Spokane and the 2024 Greater Northwest Rail Summit is four-term Spokane County Commissioner, Al French. Commissioner French also sits on the governing board of the Palouse and Coulee City Railroad (the largest state-owned shortline railroad in the Northwest), chairs the Spokane Regional Transportation Council, and sits on the Washington State Freight Mobility Strategic Investment Board.
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9:30am - 10:30am
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Rail as the Backbone of Communities
Whether moving agricultural products to the coast or students to the first day of college, rail is the backbone of many communities across the Greater Northwest. What opportunities does rail represent and what challenges come from having rail infrastructure present in our communities?
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10:40am - 12:00pm
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Renaissance for Passenger Rail Across America: From Washington DC to Your Local Depot
With unprecedented funding at the national level, we’re seeing long-overdue attention and investment in the Greater Northwest’s passenger rail network. Hear updates on:
- Federal Railroad Administration Corridor Identification & Development
- Recommended Big Sky North Coast long distance route
- Existing Amtrak Empire Builder long distance route
- Amtrak Cascades state supported route (CID process and bi-national planning for the 2026 World Cup)
- Proposed Pioneer long distance route
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12:15pm - 1:15pm
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Lunch Plenary: Looking Ahead at the National Rail Network
The excitement around restored passenger rail service is not limited to the Greater Northwest. How are expansion plans and strategic investments across the country advancing a national rail network and how will that benefit our region? |
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1:30pm - 2:30pm
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Green Farms to Green Ports: Feeding the World Starts with a Short Line
Short line railroads are the capillaries through which agricultural and manufactured goods flow to the Class I railroad arteries. Investing in and maintaining these critical corridors supports local economies, global trade, and the success of our inland port authorities.
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2:30pm - 3:30pm
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Green Farms to Green Ports: Strengthening Supply Chains Through Rail Investment
Across the Greater Northwest, trains moved 50.1 million tons of freight in 2021, keeping the equivalent of 4.1 million trucks off the road. Recent projects show how ports and railroads work together to connect our inland farms with international markets and to move agricultural products with lower emissions.
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3:45pm - 4:45pm
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Breakout Conversations
- Part 1: Exporting Agricultural Products
- What are two opportunities and challenges that you see in your community related to freight rail?
- Part 2: Readiness for Passenger Rail
- What are two opportunities and challenges that you see in your community related to passenger rail?
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4:45pm - 5:00pm
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Closing Comments
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5:30pm - 7:30pm
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Evening Reception
- Reception sponsored by David Evans & Associates
- Details to be announced
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Wednesday, Oct. 9 | Day 2
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7:00am
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Registration Opens
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8:00am
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Breakfast
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8:30am - 8:45am
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Welcome
A welcome from Greater Northwest Rail Summit co-hosts Pacific Northwest Economic Region (PNWER) Regional Infrastructure Accelerator and All Aboard Northwest |
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8:45am - 9:45am
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Northwest Port & Rail Investment Strategy
Strategic investments in our ports, mainline rail corridors, and shortline railroads can help move goods to and from the coast and boost the economy. How are each of these key players prioritizing investments across our region, and how can we work together to build a robust freight network?
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9:50am - 10:50am
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Preparing Rural Community Passenger Rail Tourism
With many communities depending on tourism to support their local economy, passenger rail provides tremendous opportunities for our region to showcase its unique natural, cultural, and historic attractions. How can rural farming communities or small mountain towns start to plan for tourists arriving by rail? What should small towns consider as they start to build out a tourism-by-rail industry? |
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11:00am - 12:00pm
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Town to Town: Knitting Together a Multi-State Rail Corridor
A regional rail strategy starts at the local level. How are each of the Northwest states prioritizing rail investments and how can we coordinate between jurisdictions to best achieve High Performance Rail corridors.
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12:15pm - 1:15pm
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Luncheon Plenary: Reauthorization - What’s Next for Federal Passenger and Freight Rail Funding?
The IIJA authorized unprecedented investments in our rail system. The push for re-authorization in 2025 has already started. What should we know about the federal budgeting process and how will it impact local investments in the Greater Northwest?
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1:30pm - 2:30pm
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Green Rail Infrastructure: Saving Salmon & Enhancing Air Quality
Investments in rail infrastructure can move people and goods more quickly while also producing environmental benefits for our communities. Whether it’s highway-rail grade separation that reduces vehicle idling and congestion or improved bridges and culverts that support salmon habitat restoration, investing in our rail network is a benefit to all.
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2:35pm - 3:35pm
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Passenger Rail as a Healthcare Lifeline
When the nearest hospital is over a treacherous snowy pass, or a disability or age prevents you or a loved one from driving, passenger rail service becomes a critical connection for rural communities. Equity, accessibility, and improved health outcomes are priorities for rural and tribal communities across the Greater Northwest.
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3:45pm - 4:45pm
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Rail Advocacy in 2025: Input from all corners
Both regionally and nationally, 2025 will be an important year for securing investments in our rail network. But how do we organize constituents, persuade lawmakers, and advocate together for High Performance Rail?
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4:45pm - 5:00pm
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Closing Comments for the Summit
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