Full Steam Ahead: Launching Our Expanded RIA Program
On May 9, 2024, the PNWER Regional Infrastructure Accelerator (RIA) program hosted a virtual launch event in celebration of our second RIA grant provided by the US Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Build America Bureau (Bureau).
The PNWER RIA team was joined by USDOT Bureau Executive Director Morteza Farajian, Bureau RIA Program Manager Carl Ringgold and the PNWER RIA’s four subrecipient organizations, represented by Dave Strohmaier of Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority (BSPRA), Elaine Clegg of Valley Regional Transit (VRT), Nils Andreassen of Alaska Municipal League (AML) and Laila Kral of Local Highway Technical Assistance Council (LHTAC).
The celebratory event, available for viewing here, showcased new projects and detailed the comprehensive assistance the RIA program will provide to communities and project sponsors across the region over the next 24 months. The program launch drew attendees from across North America, including the Pacific Northwest, western Canada and select areas in the U.S. South and East Coast.
PNWER RIA Launch Event Attendees
The launch drew attendees from across North America, including the Pacific Northwest, western Canada and select areas in the U.S. South and East Coast.
RIA’s Role in the PNWER Charge
The RIA program is a result of the broader Pacific NorthWest Economic Region (PNWER) mandate to foster multi-state cooperation and economic resilience through infrastructure development in the bi-national Pacific Northwest – encompassing the states of Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington, and the Canadian provinces and territories of Alberta, British Columbia, Northwest Territories, Saskatchewan, and the Yukon. Established over three decades ago, PNWER has become a beacon of nonpartisan policy formation and a hub for regional solutions to global challenges, especially as they relate to the region’s transportation network.
Our RIA program, unique in its multi-state approach, builds on this legacy to help communities and jurisdictions accelerate vital projects by providing technical assistance and support. The past two years have been transformative; we’ve successfully navigated through our initial grant phase, helping key regional projects like a highway/rail grade separation in Spokane Valley, Washington, and initiating important discussions on decarbonizing drayage vehicles at the ports of Seattle and Tacoma. With a renewed vigor and an additional $2 million from USDOT, our program is poised for an ambitious expansion that will extend into 2026, focusing on innovative financing mechanisms and accelerating project delivery throughout the Pacific Northwest region.
“Each [RIA] program is a tool in the toolbox we have to help our partners at the regional and local level build capacity and move their projects forward more effectively and cost efficiently. PNWER, in what they have achieved and what they plan to do, is one of the Regional Infrastructure Accelerators working at that local level. We are very happy to see the progress, and we’re excited to hear about what’s going to be done in the future,”
-Morteza Farajian, USDOT Build America Bureau Executive Director
Setting the stage for the next two years, the launch event highlighted the strides we’ve made and the goals ahead. Our program stands as a testament to what can be achieved when collaborative efforts align with innovative financing solutions to enhance our region’s infrastructure and economic viability. Continue reading to learn more about our expanded program and the projects we’ll be working on the next two years.
Expanding Our Focus
With support from our second grant, the PNWER RIA team is expanding our presence to address critical infrastructure projects in all five northwest states. This second iteration features a widened focus on four main program areas:
The Build Northwest Center of Excellence: The PNWER RIA program’s overarching platform for all outreach and community engagement work, offering educational initiatives on innovative financing tools to project sponsors, legislators and communities.
High Performance Rail: High Performance Rail identifies, evaluates and pursues multiple rail improvement projects that, when bundled, will significantly reduce passenger train delays and improve freight velocity along major northwest rail corridors.
Zero-Emission Commercial Refueling Corridors: This initiative plans for refueling infrastructure that will serve medium- and heavy-duty zero-emission vehicles. The PNWER RIA will work with Northwest Tribal nations, legislators and industry leaders to accelerate the integration of transportation networks and clean energy facilities to support the decarbonization of our region’s commercial transportation sector.
Critical Connections: This initiative bolsters the upgrade and enhancement of connective infrastructure, such as bridges, ports and transit systems that provide vital access to communities – especially those in rural and Tribal jurisdictions.
Growing Our Project Portfolio
After two years of community engagement, outreach and provision of technical assistance, and securing our second RIA grant, we expanded our project portfolio to more comprehensively address the region’s transportation infrastructure needs. Specific projects were identified within each program area that work in concert to accelerate a more robust regional transportation network. Visit our projects page to learn more about each project.
To strengthen our community footprint, PNWER designated four regionally-based public entities as subrecipients of the second RIA grant. These project partners will enhance and amplify the impact of the RIA by serving as vital on-the-ground resources, which are critical assets in ensuring our local projects receive the assistance necessary to reach the finish line.
Click the headers below to hear PNWER RIA Assistant Director Betz Mayer comment on our new projects and their impact on the region.
Build Northwest Center of Excellence Projects
Legislator Outreach and Education | PNW
Project Sponsor Educational Workshops | PNW
Technical Assistance Webinars | PNW
Alaska TIFIA/RRIF Financing Work Plan | AK
Partner: Alaska Municipal League
Rural Idaho Technical Assistance Workshop | ID
Partner: Local Highway Technical Assistance Council
High Performance Rail Projects
Cascades Corridor Rail and Port Investment Strategy | WA/OR
Small Parcel Delivery Study | MT
Partner: Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority
Rural Rail Community Outreach | MT
Partner: Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority
Boise Cut-Off Feasibility Analysis | ID
Partner: Valley Regional Transit
High Performance Rail Working Group | PNW
Hood River / White Salmon Bridge Replacement Project | WA/OR
Yakutat Transportation Infrastructure | AK
Partner: Alaska Municipal League
College of Western Idaho Housing and Transit Joint Development | ID
Partner: Valley Regional Transit
Canyon County Feasibility Analysis | ID
Partner: Valley Regional Transit
Zero-Emission Commercial Corridors Projects
Umpqua Indian Development Corporation ZEV Commercial Refueling Facilities | OR
St. Regis Zero-Emission Refueling and EV Fast Charging Facility | MT
Consultant Spotlight
The work we’re embarking on is made possible by our stellar team of staff, subrecipients and consultants. Our consultant team – composed of subject matter experts from across the nation – is an essential ally and vital resource in ensuring our work has the greatest regional impact possible. Get to know each of our consultants and their areas of expertise below.
Nessle & Blakey | Federal Agency Relations
Developing transportation policy and programs
Navigating federal processes and agencies
Advocating for federal policy and program improvements
Communicating complex policy and regulatory issues
Columbia Strategic Consulting Group | Railroad Relations
Railroad infrastructure, operations, facilities, real estate and right-of-way challenges and opportunities
Project development and advocacy
Government affairs, including Tribal nation relations
Marketing and economic development strategies for rail projects
Cheryl E Jones Consulting | Federal Financing
Building innovative finance solutions for public infrastructure projects
Analysis and advising of public-private partnerships
Expertise in financing projects with TIFIA direct loans
Indigenous Resilience | Tribal Nation Relations & Zero-Emission Projects
Expertise in coordinating and deploying Tribal energy, zero-emission vehicle, broadband and utility program directives
Establishing and maintaining relationships with Tribes in AK, ID, MT, OR, WA and BC
Developing network of Tribes interested in deploying zero-emission infrastructure on Tribal lands within commercial corridors
Meet Our Subrecipients
Our four subrecipient organizations make up a network of dedicated on-the-ground resources that will remarkably enhance the PNWER RIA program’s impact in communities across the region. Click below to learn more about each organization and how they’ll be partnering with the PNWER RIA program to accelerate projects in their communities.
Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority | MT
A regional rail authority and subdivision of the Montana state government focused on supporting existing freight and passenger options and expanding passenger rail.
“We’re strong advocates for High Performance Rail. We see our community engagement work with PNWER setting the stage for additional projects that create those synergistic points between freight and passenger operations,”
-Dave Strohmaier, Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority Chairman
Treasure Valley’s regional public transportation authority, responsible for the management of public bus transit, specialized van services, paratransit and more.
“The Valley has grown tremendously in the last two decades and this [western Treasure Valley] corridor is perfectly placed to serve a lot of that growth. We’re currently doing an environmental linkages study that includes the corridor and we look forward to the work that PNWER is bringing to it to further develop [its] feasibility.”
-Elaine Clegg, Valley Regional Transit CEO
A member-based organization composed of Alaska’s 165 cities and boroughs that works to strengthen Alaska’s local governments through the provision of technical assistance, shared services, advocacy and capacity building.
“It’s going to look different in Alaska because of environmental justice and equity, and the disadvantaged status of so many of our communities. We want to think through and be considerate of what a TIFIA and RRIF action plan for Alaska looks like that addresses the transportation deficits and opportunities that are out there. We’re excited about the opportunities to engage and educate Alaska’s communities, and the resources from PNWER will make that very possible,”
-Nils Andreassen, Alaska Municipal League Executive Director
Local Highway Technical Assistance Council | ID
LHTAC was created by the Idaho State Legislature to connect local highway jurisdictions in Idaho with available resources for maintenance and construction of Idaho’s local highway system in an efficient and effective manner.
“We’re looking forward to educating local agencies on innovative financing, what projects may be applicable for those funds, as well as on grant writing and grant opportunities. This relationship and partnership will help accelerate some of the projects and give the locals in Idaho the opportunity to be more successful in the future with federal competitive grants.”
-Laila Kral, Local Highway Technical Assistance Council
Get Involved with the PNWER RIA Program
The public and private sector can get involved in the PNWER RIA program’s efforts to accelerate infrastructure project delivery in the Pacific Northwest. Explore the following opportunities to get involved, and contact us with any questions.
Get involved with a program working group
The PNWER RIA is convening public/private working groups for each of its program areas that will assist in accelerating project delivery and identifying potential future projects.
Build Northwest Center of Excellence
High Performance Rail Working Group
Critical Connections Working Group
Zero-Emissions Commercial Vehicle Working Group
Engage in PNWER RIA workshops and educational webinars
Stay up to date on future workshop and webinar opportunities at www.RIAnorthwest.org
Attend & participate in the PNWER Annual Summit
The 33rd PNWER Annual Summit is coming to Whistler, BC, July 21-25. The bi-national economic development conference will convene public and private sector leaders for discussion on sustainable technologies, high performance rail, economic corridors and many other topics relevant to our region. Learn more & register at www.pnwer.org/2024-summit
Upcoming Events
Visit the PNWER RIA program’s event page to learn more about upcoming events related to our work.
Keep In Touch!
Connect with us on Facebook, X and LinkedIn!
