Montana Department of Transportation, Public Affairs Bureau records

Montana Department of Transportation, Public Affairs Bureau records, 1919-2003

Overview of the Collection

Creator: Montana. Department of Transportation.
Title: Montana Department of Transportation, Public Affairs Bureau records
Dates: 1919-2003 (inclusive)
19192003
Quantity: 3.8 linear feet
Collection Number: RS 492 (Formerly RS 413)
Summary: This collection is a sub-subgroup (Bureau) of the Montana Department of Transportation records, RS 492. The Public Affairs Bureau currently (as of 2024) operates under the Director's Office Division. Please see the primary finding aid for more Montana Department of Transportation records. The Public Affairs Bureau records (1991-1992, 1995-2001) consist of both the Information Unit files (1969-1994), the Public Affairs Bureau files (1991-1995), and the Public Information Officer files (1996-1999).
Repository: Montana Historical Society, Library & Archives
Montana Historical Society Research Center Archives
225 North Roberts
PO Box 201201
Helena MT
59620-1201
Telephone: 4064442681
Fax: 4064445297
mhslibrary@mt.gov
Access Restrictions: Collection is open for research.
Languages: English
Sponsor: Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC).

Historical NoteReturn to Top

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 is headed by an administrator. The Centralized Services Division, Engineering Division, Motor Pool Division, Gross Vehicle Weight Division, and the Maintenance Division are furthered sub-divided into bureaus, headed by Chiefs. In 1991, the Department of Highways became the Department of Transportation. This was primarily a name change. However, there were some structural and administrative changes.

The Department of Transportation Public Affairs Bureau was previously the Department of Highways Information Unit before the 1991 reorganization. The Bureau administered Highways and Transportation information, data and statistics used for public affairs and public relations. This included information for: media relations; correspondence with members of the public; public presentations; new and press releases; and other referential information necessary for public, Federal, and State needs. Correspondence files include public inquiries and responses regarding road conditions, statistical information, and tourist information.

Dennis Unsworth was the Manager of the Department of Highways Information Unit. After the 1991 departmental reorganization he became the Public Information Officer, and head of the Public Affairs Bureau.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The Public Affairs Bureau records (1991-1992, 1995-2001) consist of both the Information Unit files (1969-1994), the Public Affairs Bureau files (1991-1995), and the Public Information Officer files (1996-1999). The Information Unit files primarily include compiled statistical information, news and press release, tourist and other referential information necessary for public, Federal, and State inquiries and data. Correspondence with other State departments and Highways Bureaus include news, media, and press releases; clippings; reports, studies and survey data; public presentations and speeches. Some significant topics include rest area information displays, Gallatin Canyon – US Highway 191 highway studies, the “Montana Highway Dilemma”, and Transportation 20/20 studies.

The Public Affairs Bureau records (1991-1992, 1995-2001) consist of general press releases (1991-2001), and a subject files (1995) regarding the Dave Manning Memorial Building Dedication. Press release topics include Commission meetings and bid lettings The Public Information Officer, Dennis Unsworth, was the Chief of the Public Affairs Bureau, as well as the Manager of the Information Unite, before departmental reorganization. Unsworth’s files (1998-2000) contain similar records to those within the Information Unit and the Public Affairs Bureau files. The public Information Officer concern public relations, referential information to be used for media relations, and public awareness campaigns. A number of the files relate specifically to the US Highway 93 / Stevensville construction.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

The Montana Historical Society is the owner of the materials in the Research Library and makes available reproductions for research, publication, and other uses. Written permission must be obtained from the Research Library before any reproduction use. The Society does not necessarily hold copyright to all of the materials in the collections. In some cases, permission for use may require seeking additional authorization from the copyright owners.

Preferred Citation

Item description and date. Collection Title. Collection Number. Box and Folder numbers. Montana Historical Society Research Center, Archives, Helena, Montana.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

The collection is organized into three Series: The Information Unit files, the Public Affairs Bureau files, and the files of the Public Information Officer.

Location of Collection

40:7-3

Processing Note

In 2024, the various collections of the Montana Department of Transportation were integrated under one collection identifier, RS 492, in order to help facilitate access, reduce redundancy in the MTHS catalog, and to follow best archival practices.

Collections from Montana Department of Transportation's various Divisions and Bureaus that were previously treated as separate entities are now integrated into this collection, RS 492. Rather than reprocessing over 280 linear feet of Transportation materials, MTHS staff decided to keep the past arrangement of those collections/finding aids, and provide access to them via links through the central finding aid. This decision has allowed the MTHS archival staff to maintain intellectual control over the collection, while removing the need to reprocess it. It also keeps State Agency finding aids at manageable sizes. Please read the scope and content note carefully to determine if this subgroup/sub-subgroup pertains to your research needs.

Acquisition Information

Acquisition information available upon request

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Information Unit, 1975-1990Return to Top

Container(s)	Description	Dates
	Correspondence
Box/Folder
1/1-2	Billings District	1985-1987
1/3	Butte	1985-1990
1/4	Biennial Awards – Federal Highway Administration	1985-1986
1/5	Dillon	1988
1/6	Director’s Memorandums	1979-1980
1/7-18	General	1978-1989
1/19	Great Falls	1985-1987
1/20	Interstate 15 (I-15) Ribbon Cutting	1986
1/21	Missoula	1987-1989
1/22	Public Affairs and Tourism, Department of	1980
1/23	Requests for Information	1980
1/24	Rest Areas	1985-1987
1/25	Western Association of State and Transportation Authorities Convention (WASHTO)	1988
1/26	Weekly Radio Shows	1975-1977
	Subject Files
Box/Folder
1/27	“Attitudes Toward Highway Conditions, Operations And Taxation” for the Montana Department Of Transportation	1980
1/28	Centerline Highways Publication	1978
1/29	Centennial Train	1978
1/30	Federal Aid, Fuel Taxation Survey	1980
1/31	Federal Highway Administration Press Conference Helena, News Clipping	1978
1/32-34	Gallatin Canyon – US Highway 191	1987-1991
1/35	Gallatin Canyon – US Highway 191: Anderson Report, Commerce Clause	1986
1/36	Gallatin Canyon – US Highway 191: Environmental Assessment	1980
1/37	Gallatin Canyon – US Highway 191: Shontz Memo	1987
1/38	Gallatin Canyon – US Highway 191: Traffic Sufficiency Studies	1987
2/1	Gallatin Canyon – US Highway 191: News Clippings	1986-1987
2/2	Hearings – Horse Canyon Preservation	1980-1981
2/3	Helena Advertising Federation Committee (Helena Ad Club)	1979
2/4	Highway Complex Building	1978
2/5	Highway Department Study: RJ Hansen Associates, Management Consulting Firm	1981-1982
2/6-7	Highway Signs	1986-1990
2/8	Historical Information	1919-1975
2/9	Historical Information: Roads	1981
2/10	Litter Campaign	1969-1980
2/11	Logo Signs	1990-1991
2/12	Manual for Campground and Recreational Signs	1980
2/13-14	Montana Highway Commission Meetings – New Releases	1977-1990
2/15	Montana Highway Commission Organizational Charts	1960-1970
2/16-17	“Montana Highway Dilemma” Presentation	1981
2/18	“Montana Highway Dilemma” Conference	1981
2/19	Mount Saint Helens Volcano Ash Fallout – New Release	1980
2/20	National Transportation Week	1983-1987
2/21	News Releases – Director’s Speeches	1989
2/22	News Releases – Employee Awards (Include Images)	1989-1990
2/23	News Releases – General	1978,1988-1990
2/24	News Releases – Personnel	1981-1983
2/25	News Releases – Bid Lettings	1990
2/26	Open House Planning	1971
2/27	Photologging Montana / Photogrammetry	1971
2/28	Project Selection / Tentative Construction Selection	1982
2/29	“Montana Department of Highways Recommended Project Selection Process,” Planning and Research Bureau	1982
2/30	Reconstruction Facts	1981
2/31	Reorganization, (Includes Clippings)	1981-1983
2/32	Rest Area	1963-1982
2/33	Rest Area Development	1972-1977
2/34	Road Awards	1969-1980
2/35	Safety	1976-1982
2/36	Schwinden Administration	1980-1982
2/37	Snow Removal Plan	1981-1982
2/38	Speeches	1972-1983
2/39	Speeches – Governors Speech	1981
2/40	Strategic Committee on Information / Communications (Public Image)	1981-1987
2/41	Strike Plan	1981
2/42	Tourism	1980
2/43	Transportation 20/20, Survey & Studies	1988-1989
3/1	Transportation 20/20	1990
3/2	Trucking Deregulation (Includes Clippings)	1979-1982
3/3	Van Pooling and Carpooling	1979-1980
3/4	Year End Reports	1972-1974
	Clippings
Box/Folder
3/5	Bridges	1969-1978
3/6	Coal Tax	1980-1982
3/7	Construction Strike	1982
3/8	District – Billings	1986, 1994
3/9	District – Butte	1986, 1994
3/10	District – Glendive	1986, 1994
3/11	District – Great Falls	1986, 1994
3/12	District – Missoula	1986, 1994
3/13	55 mph. Speed Limit Enforcement	1981
3/14	Flood Disaster	1981
3/15-21	Headquarters – Helena	1984-1988
3/22	Ron Richards	1977-1978
3/23	State	1986, 1994
3/24	Railroads	1980-1983
3/25	“Report of Classification of Open Range Unfenced Areas Adjacent to Primary Highway Systems”	1977

Public Affairs Bureau, 1991-1995Return to Top

Container(s)	Description	Dates
	Subject Files
Box/Folder
3/26	SJR 25 Dave Manning Highway Building	1995
3/27	News Releases – General	1992
3/28	News Releases – Commission Meetings	1991
3/29	News Releases – Bid Lettings	1992

Public Information Officer, 1996-2000Return to Top

Container(s)	Description	Dates
	Subject Files
Box/Folder
4/5	Highway 93 – Four Lane Conversion	1999-2000
4/6	Legislative Information	1998-2000
4/7	Strategies and Communication Recommendations	undated
4/8	Seat Belt Campaign	1999-2000
4/9	Technical Memorandum: Traffic Analysis – Intersection Of US Highway and East Side Highway: Stevensville	1999
4/10	US Highway 93: Stevensville Intersection / Lolo to Hamilton Road (Includes Clippings)	1999-2000
4/11	US Highway 93: Stevensville Intersection / Lolo to Hamilton Road	1999-2000
4/12	Aeronautics	2000
4/13	Engineering	1999-2000
4/14	Environmental	1999-2000
5/1	Human Resources	1999-2000
5/2	Maintenance Division	1999-2000
5/3	Motor Carrier Services (State Truck Activity Reporting System)	1999-2000
5/4	Transportation Planning Division	1999-2000
5/6	District Offices (Includes Correspondence)	1999-2000
5/7	Public Correspondence	1999-2000
5/8	Customer Focus Improvement	1998-2000
5/9	State Vehicle Slow Down Campaign	1999
5/10	Speakers Bureau	1999-2000
5/11	First Special Service Force	1996
5/12	Construction Status Reports	1999-2000

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