MSU News Service; Skip Anderson
October 30, 2024

BOZEMAN — The U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded the Western Transportation Institute at Montana State University a grant to assist workforce development in the railway sector across the state of Montana.

The $6.4 million grant is part of an infrastructure initiative funded by the DOT’s Federal Railroad Administration and announced on Oct. 29. The award is part of a $2.4 billion rail-improvement law that funds 122 projects in 41 states and Washington, D.C.

The infrastructure initiative, which is administered through FRA’s Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements Program, includes rail safety and service improvements such as upgrading track, replacing or rehabilitating aging bridges, expanding rail connections at ports, and adding modern locomotives to fleets. According to the Transportation Department’s announcement, the grants mark “the most significant investment in American rail in more than 50 years.”

The grants also support developing the workforce to maintain and operate the nation’s rail networks through new apprenticeship programs, expanded training opportunities, establishing partnerships with universities and advance research.

“The Western Transportation Institute is a national leader in transportation workforce development,” said Alison Harmon, MSU’s vice president for research and economic development. “This grant further solidifies WTI’s leadership position in rural and tribal-focused transportation development.”

According to the DOT, these projects will “make rail safer, more reliable and more resilient, getting goods and people where they need to be quickly with fewer disruptions, lower shipping costs and less pollution.”

The project in Montana is expected to include research and activities that build the rail workforce with a focus on increasing faculty, student and youth engagement with rail-related topics and skills, according to the DOT.

The goal is to improve coordination between industry, labor, economic development and education sectors. Other goals include helping faculty and teachers expand their understanding of rail topics; exposing more students to rail-focused topics earlier in their careers; and strengthening local talent pipelines.

MSU, California State University at Long Beach, the University of Memphis, and Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority will contribute the required 20 percent non-federal matching funds, increasing the total WTI funding to just over $8 million.

“We are very excited to have this opportunity to work with our core project partners at Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority, University of Memphis and California State University, Long Beach to develop nationally relevant workforce development strategies focused on meeting local economic development needs,” said Susan Gallagher, WTI’s education and workforce program manager.

Kelvin Wang is WTI’s executive director.

“WTI is fortunate to have nationally recognized staff, faculty and students,” Wang said. “Working with this talented team has been a rewarding experience, enabling us to continue serving the needs of Montana and the nation. We look forward to working with our partners on this exciting project.”

Kelvin Wang, executive director of the Western Transportation Institute at MSU and a professor of civil engineering, 406-994-6114 or kelvin.wang@montana.edu

In addition, Brett Gunnink, MSU Dean of Engineering, commented that “This is the first major federal grant awarded to WTI since the arrival of new WTI Director Kelvin Wang in August 2023. This opportunity will allow Montana State University to continue to grow workforce capacity in the tribal and rural areas throughout our state and beyond. I look forward to WTI’s continued success in transportation-related research in the coming months and years.”

Dave Strohmaier, Chairman of the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority (BSPRA), also noted that “To build and operate the rail infrastructure of the 21st century, we need a skilled workforce. This CRISI grant will support our region and nation in achieving just that. As we enter a rail renaissance in America, we are delighted to partner with WTI to support and create the rail workforce of the future, now, in Montana and beyond.”