Archives West Finding Aid

The Montana State Highway Commission was created in 1913 by the state Legislative Assembly. The original Commission was composed of three members. In 1917 new legislation altered the organization of the Commission by authorizing the appointment of twelve members according to geographic highway districts. Membership was changed again in 1921 to three members appointed by the Governor and in 1941 to five members, also appointed by the Governor. In 1971 the Commission was renamed the Montana Department of Highways, created by Chapter 7 of the Executive Reorganization Act of 1971 and implemented by executive order of the Governor on December 16, 1971. The Department of Highways took over all but the advisory functions of the State Highway Commission.

By 1972, the Department consisted of seven divisions: the Legal Division, Personnel Division, Centralized Services Division, Engineering Division, Motor Pool Division, Gross Vehicle Weight Division, and the Maintenance Division. Each division was headed by an administrator. The Centralized Services Division, Engineering Division, Motor Pool Division, Gross Vehicle Weight Division, and the Maintenance Division were furthered sub-divided into bureaus, headed by Chiefs. In 1991, the Department of Highways became the Department of Transportation.

The Department of Highways Communications Bureau has fallen under the umbrella of many divisions over the years. In 1973, it was listed as its own separate bureau, but fell under the Maintenance Division from 1974-1975, 1978-1981, and 1983-1990 (they were briefly part of the Engineering Division in 1982). Historically, the function of the Communications Bureau appears primarily to have been the design and implementation of a statewide communication program, using technologies of the time (e.g. Teletype, C.B. radios, etc.).

At present, the Helena Communications Bureau coordinates all engineering, installation, and maintenance for land mobile communication systems. This includes all radios, mobiles, and base stations. The Bureau also oversees the installation and maintenance of the WEX program sites providing fuel to many state Motor Pool and Equipment Bureau vehicles. In addition, Communications provides support for the installation and maintenance of Local Area Networks (LAN) for the Department's Field offices, including all aspects of communications (phone, radio, and computer systems). Finally, the Communications Bureau oversees all maintenance of the Departments extensive statewide Road Weather Information Systems (RWIS) and traffics signals in the Glendive District and Kalispell Division.