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Over the river and through the woods...

Day 1 Agenda

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Third Annual Greater Northwest Rail Summit

October 8-9, 2024
Central Library, Spokane, Washington | Virtual Attendance Available

View the detailed agenda here.

Tuesday, Oct. 8 | Day 1

7:00am

Registration Opens

8:00am

Breakfast Served

8:30am - 8:45am

Welcome: Summit Goals

  • Brief background and history of the Greater Northwest Rail Summit
  • Vision for the event, objectives, outcomes

8:45am - 9:00am

Spokane as a Rail Hub

Spokane County is the capital of the Inland Empire and serves as the hub for commerce, agriculture, tourism, and freight movement. Welcoming us to Spokane County and to the 2024 Greater Northwest Rail Summit is four term Spokane County Commissioner Al French.

9:15am - 9:30am

High Performance Rail: Advocating for increased investment in shared railroad infrastructure

Our rail corridors are most productive when they move both people and goods efficiently, safely, and reliably. High Performance Rail benefits communities through projects that enhance freight railroad capacity to better serve customers while also expanding passenger rail service for rural and underserved communities.

9:30am - 10:30am

Rail as an Economic Accelerator

Rail creates enhanced access to local products and commodities as well as commercial development around a train station, spurring economic development in rural and urban areas alike. How can local governments leverage both freight and passenger rail to encourage development and economic resiliency in their communities?

10:40am - 12:00pm

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's Corridor Identification & Development program and Long Distance Study
  • Big Sky North Coast Corridor long distance route (Corridor Identification & Development: scoping)
    • Dave Strohmaier, Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority
    • Abe Zumwalt, David Evans & Associates
  • Amtrak Cascades state-supported route (Corridor Identification & Development: service development, bi-national planning for the 2026 World Cup)
  • The recommended Pioneer long distance route
    • Bre Brush, Office of Mayor of Boise

Moderator: Sean Jeans-Gail, Rail Passengers Association

12:15pm - 1:15pm

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?

1:30pm - 2:30pm

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.

2:30pm - 3:30pm

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.

3:45pm - 4:45pm

Summit Town Hall: High Performance Rail Project Brainstorm

High level visions must be accompanied by specific project ideas. What concrete projects would complement restoration of passenger rail service or improved movement of freight? Share your ideas and community needs and make a pitch for the next High Performance Rail project in the northwest. Bonus points if it can be bundled with other projects in the area.​​​​

4:45pm - 5:00pm

Closing Comments

5:30pm - 7:30pm

Evening Reception - Riverside Place Commandery Room

View the Day 2 agenda here.