Officials say Supreme Court decision sends rail project back to Surface Transportation Board; construction hoped for 2026

A council member updated attendees on the status of a long-planned rail project, saying the coalition secured a favorable outcome at the U.S. Supreme Court but that the case was remanded to the Surface Transportation Board (STB) for further administrative approval.

"We did we won the supreme court," the commissioner said, explaining the court’s action sent the matter back to the lower administrative board for full approval rather than ending the process. The speaker said the coalition has a forest-service permit, that a geotechnical drilling permit was reinstated after meetings with the forest supervisor (identified as Christie Groves), and that winter conditions at high elevation will limit field work until conditions permit.

Officials said they are aiming to start construction in 2026 but cautioned that timing depends on permitting, weather and financing. The project cost was described in the discussion as about $2.4 billion; speakers said roughly $500 million in private-activity bond capacity is available now but that additional financing remains to be secured. The commissioner said the White House has expressed interest in the project and that congressional engagement is underway, including mention of a planning bill and a "speed act" to address permitting delays; they said they may request additional support letters from municipalities as the matter progresses.

No formal vote was taken on the project at the meeting. Council members asked whether municipalities could provide support letters and whether local governments could help in other ways; staff said they may ask towns for letters when the matter comes before committees in Congress.