HomeMy WebLinkAboutNewsline December 2011 z-aV: - ;` ,
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Newsletter of the Montana Department of Transportation Rail, Transit & Planning Division �^- -
Archaeologists Excavate Crow Agency Site
n preparation excavations proved extremely productive. Aaberg located dumps
<..:., "^
R , ' ,�g , ,„ " . I for MDT's associated with the main agency compound and Doby Town, an
' , , Roscoe Junction area of Crow Indian housing made from adobe brick. Dumps are
419 South project, especially important to archaeologists because they often include
{l archaeologists are artifacts rich in data about people's daily lives. They located the
r 1, uncovering a agent's house, a blacksmith shop, sawmill, and a hand- stacked
; L � . fantastically rich stone well. At MDT's request, Aaberg began a full -scale excavation
.�, _ artifact record of within the proposed highway right -of -way limits in 2011.
• ° � , the Absaroka Thousands of butchered animal bone fragments have been
, Agency (Crow). recovered from the Doby Town and main agency dumps. These
The archaeo- artifacts tell about the Crow diet and reflect the changes in their way
g' ' log i ntact of life. Chokecherry and wild plum pits tell the story of how they
. - nature of this site, gathered traditional wild fruit. The artifacts also show how the
-
sk ... . , — ;, ,-. `._ that once served Crow went from living on bison, antelope, deer, cutthroat trout and
Archaeologists expose foundations of the Absaroka as the govern- elk, to living primarily on government- provided beef.
Agency near Roscoe Junction 419 South Project. ment's adminis- The Treaty of 1868 recognized the Crow Reservation as exist -
trative point of ing south and east of the Yellowstone River and east to the divide
contact for the Crow, makes it truly unique on the Northern Plains. between the Big Horn River and Rosebud Creek in southeastern
In 2006, MDT hired consulting archaeologist Steve Aaberg Montana. The first Crow Indian Agency was located near the
from Billings, to conduct test excavations at the site, marking the ... Continued on next page
remnants of what had been the Absaroka Agency. The test
Congressional Actions Renew Hope for Long -term Transportation Funding
he last long -term transportation funding bill, SAFETEA -LU, expired in September of 2009. Since then, states
have been delivering the program through numerous short-term program funding extensions, the latest of which
1 1 i
4 expires March 31, 2012. However, recent committee actions and press releases indicate broad support for continued
infrastructure investment as we move into 2012.
i � The most notable action was taken by the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, which drafted and
� unanimously passed out of committee, a bi- partisan two -year surface transportation funding bill called Moving
Ahead for Progress in the 21' Century Act - or MAP - 21.
This two -year bill proposes to continue highway and bridge funding at current levels under a consolidated program structure.
Though there would be fewer program categories, the bill doesn't eliminate any eligibilities and allows states to continue to make
funding decisions. Most importantly and thanks to Senator Max Baucus, Montana would retain its share of the federal program and
funding level under MAP -21. Program aspects this bill doesn't address include transit, motor carriers, safety, and a $12 billion
revenue gap. These other programs will be taken up in their associated committees, and Senate Finance Committee Chairman
Senator Max Baucus will pursue a revenue solution. This is a very good bill for Montana.
Speaker John Boehner for the House of Representatives and Representative John Mica, Transportation and Infrastructure
committee chair, have also made strong statements promoting job creation through funding transportation infrastructure. The House
program includes a five -year infrastructure bill focusing on funding high priority projects, removing project development obstacles,
leveraging private funding, and consolidating or eliminating duplicative programs. Funding levels for the five -year House proposal
were not released, but there is mention of using revenue generated from expanded American energy production to help keep the
program solvent at levels higher than fuel taxes alone could support. Much of this proposal remains uncertain. Montana usually
fares better in the Senate.
Overall, it's encouraging that transportation program discussions are not only taking place but being promoted in a time
of economic uncertainty. Both the Senate and the House recognize that continued and increased investment in transportation
infrastructure is vital to the economic competitiveness of the nation. MDT will continue to ensure that Montana's transportation
needs are considered as these bills move forward.
Archaeologists continued from previous page Emergency Medical
western edge of the reservation at Mission Creek near present -day
Livingston Services (EMS) Grant
In 1875, the U.S. government moved the Crow Indian
Agency from Mission Creek to a location near present -day p rogram i n Third R ound
Absarokee, Montana. The purpose, according to the official
record, was to locate the Crow to a more agricultural area. ., —�_
However, it is clear that the agency was moved east with the ' :I ' t' -' '``--'
intent of pressuring the Crow into giving up the western portion :L I , � L,
of their reservation. The Crow Agency stayed near the Absarokee v4-1 e 1 ."" -m
area until 1884, when it was pushed farther east to its present ' _ r g '_ - :,
�a
location on the Little Big Horn. „ ,
The decade in which the U.S. government's primary point of -" = "
contact with the Crow at the Absaroka Agency was one of monu-
mental change for the Crow. In 1875, they were a free people, New ambulances purchased through the EMS' grant program.
moving about their homeland, hunting and gathering as they had
for hundreds of years. By the mid- 1880s, the bison were almost MDT funding is pleased to announce a third round of EMS grant ng extinct, other game populations were in sharp decline, and the has been awarded to 21 applicants. The purpose of this program
Crow were dependent on govemment foodstuffs and other goods is to provide competitive grants to emergency medical service providers
for their livelihood. for acquiring or leasing ambulances or emergency response vehicles,
Additional artifacts recovered m the excavations include training, communication equipment, and medical care equipment
thousands of glass beads, many rifle and revolver cartridges and The EMS grant pays 90 percent of the cost to acquire critical
parts, metal trade arrow points, and various Civil- War -era army lifesaving equipment for Montana's volunteer ambulance services.
items that were probably sent as surplus to the agency. The Delivery of equipment for the first two rounds of grant funding
excavations yielded artifacts indicative of the great cultural (SFY 2010 and SFY 2011) are nearing completion. This included
changes the Crow were experiencing at this time. Several 16 emergency vehicles, 15 power cots, 13 manikins, and 29 radios
chipped -stone hide- scraping tools were fashioned from bottle plus additional pieces of medical equipment. The third round will
glass instead of the traditional chert (siliceous rock). An include 7 emergency vehicles, 7 power cots, 14 manikins, and 6
"Iniskim" or "buffalo stone" was recovered from one of the radios. Over half of all applicants received funding for requested
cabins. It is a fragment of fossil baculite that looks like a small items through this grant program
stone buffalo. Buffalo stones are often found in Plains Indian Following is an excerpt from a letter MDT received from a
medicine bundles and personal medicine pouches. 2010 grant recipient:
The site is of intense interest to the Crow Tribe, archaeolo-
gists, and historians. This year, FHWA Executive Director Jeff "Fire and EMS personnel were able to use the new extrica-
Paniati toured the site with Montana FHWA officials and tion equipment to quickly and safely lift the vehicle off the
commented that the visit to the site was one of the high points of patient to save his life. He was transported to the hospital
his trip. where he was reported to be in stable condition. Without the
While the existence of the site was not a surprise, the extent new extrication equipment purchased through the EMS grant
and the intact nature of artifacts have been. The foundations of the Fire Company would not have had the right equipment to
the main agency compound were unexpectedly discovered, still perform this rescue operation and the patient would have
intact beneath the plow -zone in the alfalfa field on the east side of very likely lost his life. The new equipment made it possible
Highway 419. to perform the rescue and can be credited with a save."
MDT designers are now working on an alternative road de-
sign that will minimize impacts and avoid as much of this unique
archaeological site as possible.
. . A
, .
... . 4111,.. , -:.›.
_ -�, ,* "vs ¢' ms -. ""
i fs s%. s .,: ' . _: _� �a 1 ,3
Rescue 42 strut kit and lifting bags were used in this rescue operation.
Alontana State University Professor Crow Tribal Monitor Shawn
Dr. Jack Fisher, analyzes bone Danforth assists Archaeologist For more information, contact MDT's Rail, Transit, and Plan -
fragments from the Doby Town dump Dylan Hayman as he excavates
in the field lab. the Absaroka Agency well. rung Division at 444 -3423, or visit our web site at www. mdt. mt.gov.
2
MDT Maintenance Crews Holiday Gatherings —
Battle Winter Storms Host Responsibly
J riving through a winter storm is not for the faint of heart. ° T ° he 2011 holiday season is underway. It is a time for people
For the hundreds of professionals on MDT's winter 1 to gather and celebrate, and these celebrations often involve
maintenance crews though, dealing with ice, sleet and snow is just alcohol. Hosts would be wise to take some common -sense
part of the job. A typical shift will start at 5 a.m. and a second precautions to prevent excessive consumption of alcohol at their
shift might keep crews out until midnight. Since Montana party, such as:
weather is anything but typical, it's not uncommon for MDT to
have crews on the road around -the- clock. • Make it known as guests arrive, that you will not allow
MDT maintains 25,000 lane miles of highway, or about the anyone impaired to drive.
distance it would take to drive around the equator. A storm that • Serve a variety of non - alcoholic drinks, and have water
covers the state often means that in less than 24- hours, mainte- readily available.
Hance crews can log enough miles to travel twice around the earth. • Serve plenty of food, including protein -rich foods that slow
Crews clear roads on a level -of- service priority system based the absorption of alcohol.
on a number of factors such as proximity to an urban area type of • Have activities, so drinking
road, and traffic volumes. MDT's maintenance chiefs and super isn't the only thing to do at
intendents rely on the crews' experience to balance the need for the party
safety with the expected or current conditions and available • Be prepared to get your guest
resources. Crews may adjust schedules, call in reinforcements * 'AW
home safely with designated
from other areas in the state, or when warranted, close roads. drivers or public transporta- #
Maintenance personnel rely on their experience and training tion.
as they consider how to clear winter roadways. These factors ,„ '"
include air temperature, pavement temperature, humidity levels, Hosts can be held legally
dew point temperatures, exposure to sun, type and rate of precipi- responsible for the damage an
tation, weather forecast, weather radar data and satellite data impaired driver might cause after
Crews monitor road conditions using infrared sensors, leaving the party. .
mapping, Road Weather Information Systems (RWIS), and
Hosts should also be careful .t;.- ;_`
MDT's webcams. if minors are present to ensure
These factors play into what treatment or combination of that they aren't served or consum- 4
treatments are chosen to best clear the mad. Winter maintenance ing alcohol.
chemicals, magnesium chloride and sodium chloride with corro-
sion inhibitors, are sometimes applied just before a storm or in the Underage house parties
early stages of a storm. This helps prevent a hard bond of ice, Many Montana cities have passed a Social Host Ordinance, a
reduces snow buildup, and speeds snow and ice breakup after the municipal civil law that holds hosts accountable if they allow
storm. De -icer might be applied to a thin layer of snow -pack or minors, other than their own children, to consume alcohol on
ice already on the road to melt black ice and freezing rain.
Traction sand is crushed aggregate and is applied to provide Private property.
temporary traction during a storm. Keeping sand on a road is The host or homeowner who knowingly allows their property
nearly impossible in some circumstances, especially in very cold to be used for such an event could be held liable for injuries or
weather, under windy conditions, and where traffic moves at other consequences that occur as a result of underage drinking.
higher speeds. Wetting traditional sanding material with liquid This year give your guests the best holiday gift of all:
chlorides helps sand to stick to snow -pack. a healthy and safe environment.
Workers monitor conditions before, during, and after a winter
storm. Road treatments and applications are modified in response We wish everyone a fun and safe holiday season!
to the changing conditions throughout the storm.
MDT has many tools and equipment to use in its mission to Montana Essential Freight Rail
keep the roads clear for winter travel. It's the skilled profession- Loans Available
als using these tools and equipment that deliver the effective
winter maintenance program.
In January 2012, the Montana Essential Freight Rail Loan
For road andl,y ea t h e y° conditions program will once again solicit interest in freight rail projects.
call 511 or 1-800-226 -7623 Letters should demonstrate an eligible applicant and project,
and should indicate project readiness.
or go to web address:
Learn more about this program at
ht09://www.mdt.mt.gov/travinfo/ http://www.mdt.mtgov/business/grants_radshtml.
I 4
3
Montana's Rest Areas- Harlowton by the junction of
US 12 and US 191. The
Then and Now design of the Harlowton rest"
area is similar to the popular T"
barn-style Anaconda and Dena -- 1
I n the early 1930s, the Montana Highway Department developed Mora (Lookout Pass) rest �
roadside icnic areas where motorists could stop, take a break, P areas. One of the main
and spend some quality time communing with Montana's great benefits of having the rest area New rest area by the junction of
outdoors. In 1934, the department took the concept one step further located at this intersection is to US 12 and US' 191 near Harlowton.
and built its first rest area. Located on North Main Street in Helena provide an area for travelers to stop during winter storms. Often,
across from Memorial Park, (then a part of US 91), the picnic area winter storms in the Harlowton area are accompanied by windy
included an information center, drinking fountain, picnic tables, and conditions and periods of low visibility. US 191 north from
a circular stone parking structure. Harlowton through Judith Gap is occasionally closed during
Rest areas have come a long way since then. As you travel strong winter storms due to visibility problems. The Harlowton
across Montana today, you will notice a new look and improved rest area provides a safe location for travelers to stop, get off the
functionality at state - maintained rest areas. These facilities play an road, and wait out the storm.
important role in relation to highway safety, primarily as it relates Results from surveys recently conducted at these three rest
to driver fatigue. In addition to the safety role, these facilities also areas indicate the traveling public is pleased with the new facili-
serve an important role as truck staging areas for the commercial ties and would like to see more of them in the state. Contact
trucking industry. With an increasing emphasis on "just-in-time" Sheila Ludlow at 444 -9193 or sludlow @mt.gov for information.
delivery practices, commercial truck drivers often use rest area
facilities outside urbanized areas :. - 4
to await the opening of a ware- ' -1 i C TEP Spo tl i ght
house or business.
Over the past ten years, ��� .
MDT has built or reconstructed t 2011—A Banner Year for
nine rest areas. This past year
alone, two new rest areas were 1 ' . CTEP Construction
opened at Lima and Harlowton
and another was reconstructed at �`
inter weather signals the end of another construction
Dearborn. The interiors of the New rest areas feature large, well -lit season in Montana. For CTEP, 2011 was an active and
facilities feature large, well -lit lobbies with information displays successful year with nearly 40 construction projects completed,
lobbies with informational and individual restrooms with a child
displays and individual rest-
,seat located on the back of the doors. totaling approximately $4.5 million Sample projects include:
rooms with a child seat located on the back of the doors. Common • new pedestrian and bicycle paths in Troy and Libby,
exterior features include picnic shelters, street lighting, and walking (matching funds provided by Lincoln County);
paths. In addition to the common features included in the three rest • new streetscaping in Fairfield, Lame Deer, and Wibaux,
areas, each has its own unique appeal and attraction. • new welcome monuments, a refurbished visitor center, and a
The original Lima rest area built in 1936 in Monida was moved new downtown park in Cut Bank (matching funds provided
to Lima in the late 1940s. It was closed in 1957. The new rest area by the city of Cut Bank and Glacier County).
built in 2010 is located off I -15 within the community of Lima, and
offers three interpretive markers with information on geological and The list of projects continues, ranging from sidewalk and
historical points of interest, the most notable being the old Port of park improvements in Missoula and Billings to a sidewalk at the
Entry Station Local businesses are seeing a boost in business due Bridger library (matching funds provided by Carbon County).
to the opening of the rest area. Lima Mayor David Olsen com- Forsyth, Red Lodge, Ronan, Helena, and Florence also sport new
mented, "There are people coming into Lima that never knew we sidewalks and bicycle paths. Harlowton's historic Milwaukee
had a shopping area. The facility is a nice fit for Lima." Railroad depot received a facelift that included preservation meas-
The existing northbound and southbound Dearborn rest area ures to the vestige of the Milwaukee Railroad (the "electric train,"
locations along I -15 near the Dearborn interchange were also for those old enough to remember!).
reconstructed this year. These new facilities share the same design These projects represent a sampling of typical projects
as Lima, but are the first in ,... completed by participating local and tribal governments, and add
Montana to include dog runs. The to the ever - growing number of bicycle and pedestrian - friendly
dog runs feature a fenced enclosure infrastructure constructed around the state. 2011 marks the 20
that allows visitors to let their dog , . , . , 4 : .. ' . -*
loose inside the gated area to ,, year of CTEP in Montana with more than $70 million expended
.' and more than 600 projects completed. With nearly $5 million
exercise. These are also the first worth of projects in the works for 2012, the program looks
facilities in the Great Falls" p ro J
forward to an even bigger and better 2012 construction season.
district to offer vending machines. .
MDT also constructed a new New to rest areas are dog runs CTEP is the Community Transportation Enhancement Program.
rest area on the eastern outskirts of featuring a fenced enclosure that For more information, contact Mike Wherley at 444 - 4221 or
allows pets to exercise. mwherley@mt.gov.
4
Tra nst Tales
MDT Transit Featured in Safe Routes to School
the 2011 Tribal Relations Application Deadline
Report Drawing Near
The 2011 Tribal Relations Report issued by the Schweitzer M ontana's
administration identifies some of the positive work and assistance Safe Safe
provided by MDT's Transit Section. The report highlights MDT Routes to School
Transit's interaction with six of the seven Montana reservations Routes to (SRTS) program
and the role that interaction plays in sustaining reliable transit S c h oo l is in its sixth
programs. This interaction is a key to improving the economy of year and is now
the reservations. Three tribal, general- public operators on the Jjj JIIJ.. A , ; in full swing.
Blackfeet, Fort Peck, and Flathead reservations provided 178,000 OEPARTMENTOFikANSPORTATION ®� 1, 94 More and more
combined vehicle trips in fiscal year 2011. ® Montana com-
The Blackfeet and Flathead tribes received Federal Transit munities are
Administration (FTA) Recovery funds to enhance their facilities. discovering and using the program each year. Qualifying
This included an addition to the vehicle storage and maintenance projects include:
facility on the Blackfoot reservation and construction of ten
passenger shelters and installation of a gas storage tank on the • K -5 classroom PE activities about developing and building
Flathead reservation safe roadway skills, also known as "Journeys from Home,"
Operating funds were provided to North - Central Montana • college students leading weekly "Walking School Buses ",
Transit (NCMT) in Havre which accesses the Fort Belknap and or
Rocky Boy reservations, and the Crow tribes received three transit • building sidewalks that provide safe and secure access to
vehicles enabling them to start a new general public transit school campuses.
system.
This assistance enhances the travel experiences of passengers Approximately $700,000 was awarded for 7 infrastructure
by increasing access to work sites and areas away from their own and 23 non - infrastructure projects across Montana.
service areas, shelter from the weather, and vehicle operations Applications for state fiscal year 2013 (July 1, 2012
via improved maintenance. through June 30, 2013) are due by December 31, 2011. The
All of the providers extend service to passengers throughout Montana SRTS application is available online at http: //
their respective reservations from Monday through Friday. www.mdt .mt.gov /pubinvolve /saferoutes or from Montana's
Additional service is provided by Fort Peck Transportation SRTS Coordinator Taylor Lonsdale of the Western Transporta-
Service, which connects with Valley County Transit, while Lion Institute at Montana State University m Bozeman, at
NCMT connects with Liberty County Transit, Northern Transit 994 -7031 or by e-mail at taylor.lonsdale @ coe.montana.edu.
Interlocal (Shelby), Toole County Transit, Phillips County Transit
Authority, and Glacier Transit.
Two reservations do not currently receive funding directly��' `,
from MDT, Northern Cheyenne and Fort Belknap. Northern & '
Cheyenne receives direct funding for transit services from the ' r
FTA. Fort Belknap currently coordinates transit service with t
NCMT, which links the general public on the reservation to Havre , 1
and other highline communities for employment and other 1 s
services. Fort Belknap also received Federal Highway Admini-
stration
funding in the past fiscal year to complete a transit s
maintenance facility. Fort Belknap received FTA funds via MDT --- ��
in previous years.
For more information on the Governor's 2011 Tribal '
Relations Report see: http: / /tribalnations.mt.gov/
docs /2011 Tribal Relations_Report.pdf ' 2 �;
A Walking School Bus is a group of children walking safely to school
with one or more adults.
5
Research Corner
MDT Experimental Research Projects in the Mix
T he MDT Research Section conducts experimental projects to locking wedge. This system allows MDT to install the unit with an
evaluate the potential of new methods and materials for existing compatible triangular slip base. The device components
deployment along Montana roads. The Research staff is manag- are not damaged on impact and may be reused.
ing 40 active or planned experimental projects. Four projects are Product evaluation focused on the stability of the base, specifi-
highlighted below, two projects constructed in 2011, followed by cally, the attachment hardware components; environmental effects
two projects to be constructed in 2012. For more information on (wind movement, vibrations, temperature variances, etc.); and
these and other projects, visit the Experimental Projects Program overall product durability. At the end of the six -month trial, the
website at: http://www.mdtmt.gov/research/projects/eps1shtml or unit was deemed effective and suitable for use.
contact Craig Abernathy at cabernathy@mt.gov or 444 -6269.
Big Hole Pass: Evaluation of Launched Soil Nails for Slope
Monida -Lima Southbound: Evaluation of warm mix asphalt Stabilization
(WMA) pavement on a highway construction project using Launched " ,
three different WMA technologies soil nailing is a , - °'
Rising technique devel - ,,
energy costs oped to reinforce �, t
and heightened . = unstable soil. •
environmental ' ' Launched soil " ' ;
.mot; '..
awareness .:l� •f / - nails are steel or ,,.,,,;M, a
have increased `� °' iii fiberglass rods
interest in the ( �� installed to rein- "` °" � . >_ .:
potential bene-
force or
fits of WMA `' = strengthen the
.-.
in the United � � s � ~ , �� 1` ic ° ` existing ground. Soil Nail Launcher
States. WMA Rollers applying the warm - mix asphalt. Twenty-foot soil nails are inserted using high- pressure air, launch-
is produced by ing nails up to speeds of 250 mph. As the nail passes into the soil,
incorporating additives or water into asphalt mixtures to allow the ground around the nail is displaced. As the nail comes to rest,
production and placement of the mixture at temperatures well the soil rebounds onto and bonds with the nail and reinforces the
below the 300 °F+ temperatures required for conventional hot -mix locally unstable soil. The nails maintain the resisting force because
asphalt (HMA). Benefits such as reduced plant emissions, they are anchored beyond the slip plane.
improved compaction in the field, extension of the paving season
into colder weather, and reduced energy consumption at the plant Taft - West: Smart Cushion Innovations (SCI) 100GM Crash
ma be realized with different applications._ Lower production Attenuator
temperatures may also increase mixture durability by reducing The purpose of this project is to determine the effectiveness of
production aging of the mixture. the SCI100GM crash attenuator. A crash attenuator is a device that
This project, constructed in September 2011, consists of three reduces the vehicle impact of a crash. It is designed to eliminate
types of WMA technologies (Evotherm, Sasobit, and foaming) side panel stress during a collapse. In addition, it has a low angle
and an HMA control section. Research staff will monitor and of exit on side impacts to keep vehicles from rebounding back into
evaluate the project for a minimum of five years. traffic. The hydraulic collapsing of the attenuator ensures that the
proper resistance is used to stop the vehicle before it reaches the
Helena - Centennial/Bausch Parks: Redi Torque Model 280 end of the cushion's usable length. According to the manufacturer,
Omni - directional Slip Base Square Sign Support this device, based on a frontal impact, may be reset and back in
The objective of this experimental service in under an hour with minimum cost.
project is to determine the durability
and reliability of the Redi - Torque
Model 280 system for sign placement. — =^=� ""
This system was designed as abreak- ^-° ��
away device. In case of a vehicle'
impact (to minimize potential _ _ "
structural damage and increase safety -
for vehicle occupants) the unit base is Smart Cushion Innovations (SCI) 100GM Crash Attenuator is one
designed to compress through the use type of crash reduction device.
of Teflon slip- washers, decreasing
Redi- Torque Model 280
tension on the support bolts and MDT research programs serve to discover, develop, and extend
Omni - directional Slip Base
allowing the sign base to release. The knowledge needed to operate, maintain, and improve the state -
square sign support. wide multimodal transportation system.
sign post is held in place by a simple
6
MDT and the 1964 Centennial Train by MDT Historian Jon Axline
M DT has been a major player in many different projects which loaned them to the Centennial Train until the tour was
since its creation nearly a century ago in 1913 — not all completed. Thereafter, the commissioners planned to display the
involving highway construction. Some, like the official highway panels, which depicted Montana from prehistory through the nine-
map, make sense, while others, like its acquisition of the Picto- teenth century, at each of the ports of entry on the state's borders.
graph Cave site outside Billings in 1938, might seem like a stretch What the commissioners didn't anticipate was the extent to
for a department dedicated to improving and maintaining the which they'd be financially responsible for the train. In October
state's roads and bridges. But, for nearly 50 years, the department 1963, Governor Babcock asked that the finances of the train be
was involved in advertising the state as a tourist destination. The taken over by the highway commission, which would give it the
roadside historical markers, museums, roadside parks, port of legal authority to operate beyond the June 30, 1965 expiration of
entry stations, and colorful tourism literature and road maps are the Territorial Centennial Commission. One commissioner,
all examples of MDT's efforts to draw visitors to the Big Sky George Gosman of Dillon, wasn't happy with the arrangement,
Country. MDT retained that responsibility until 1975, when the claiming that "we're going to be parents of the train, but let the
State Advertising Department became part of the Department of [centennial commission] run it as they damn please. It doesn't
Commerce, where it resides today as Travel Montana. look like a business transaction at all." The commissioners
In 1963, MDT became involved in the celebration of directed State Advertising Director Orvin Fjare, an employee of
Montana's centennial as a territory. The Montana Centennial the highway department, that he would be responsible for the
Train was the brainchild of two men, 1 operation of the train and the
Howard Kelsey and Jack Hume, who '` ; _ -V � •� .. • . department's accountant, Robert
f O'
saw an opportunity to celebrate the _ Le manage the
would mana g
centennial and promote the state to a 1 - :- Centennial Commission's
.1 l - finances. Somewhere along the
would -be visitors from all over the _ - ,i--.� � •
country. The men garnered the ' ,. z r� - line, the highway department
g' -- - obtained ownership of the railcars.
financial support of individuals, - " . y� ,
businessmen, and state agencies, 1 - The Centennial Train became the
including MDT. F ' " ri .. adopted baby of the highway
r comAfter mission.
tour
Ba proj purchased ing several Montana
nine railcars ckers in of West the Virginia ect with the 4 `..
` x cities in late March and early April
Northern Pacific and Burlington ' ,
railroads loaning an additional 16 cars -- the • train left Billings for New
and a locomotive. The interior of the York on April 5, stopping at
railcars were filled with exhibit cases Wi; -� ^^^ , Omaha, Kansas City, St. Louis,
rich in historical artifacts loaned by the Louisville, Cincinnati, Charleston,
Montana Historical Society. Kelsey Washington DC, Baltimore, and
and Hume planned a month -long .'. - ,r * a L., , # Philadelphia before arriving at the
good -will tour that would begin on §4 ` '' ' ' .. 114.14 ..,,,E � World's Fair on April 22. The tour
April 5, 1964, and include stops in nine _ �. was a resounding success, returning
cities before arriving at the New York •r to Billings on May 5, after stopping
4 in six cities in the Midwest. Once
World's Fair in time for Montana Day, • � � �� � f ' ,,,,,^,,,,13-, � ,� �
where it would remain on display for ;* � the excitement of the trip cooled,
p y �`�` ^� � � �,' "^ ��' � " ' �' "" "" '— however, the question for the high -
three days before returning to Montana Montana Centennial Train in 1964 with murals intact (top photo).
on May 5. Three hundred passengers, and apresent -day train car located behind the Yellowstone way comm b ecame,
characterized as "gregarious, happy, Historic Center in West Yellowstone (bottom photo). Photos are `What do we do with the Centen-
fun- loving Montanans," paid for the courtesy of the Yellowstone Historic Center, West Yellowstone. Mal Tom?
privilege of riding on the train and MDT removed the murals from
included cowboys, Indians, musicians, Miss Montana Centennial, the exterior of the train and put them in storage at the depart-
and Montana Governor Tim Babcock. Seventy-two horses would ment's Billings District office. The nine core railroad cars were
also accompany the group along with a chuck wagon, Conestoga mothballed at the Laurel rail yard, where they stayed for the next
wagon, "and other vehicles of ancient vintage." The only thing seven years. Finally, in 1971, the highway conunissioners leased
remaining was to decorate the exterior of the train. some of the railcars to communities for use as tourist information
In June 1963, Kelsey and Hume appeared before the Montana centers. The cars ended up in Hungry Horse, Wibaux, West
State Highway Commission, explained their plans, and asked the Yellowstone, Glasgow, and Gardiner. Eventually, many of the
commissioners for help. It was quick in coming. The commis- murals were sold to private collectors or donated to local
sioners appropriated $30,000 for the production of 54 paintings museums throughout Montana. Four were kept for display in
that would decorate the exterior of the train on its cross - country the new MDT building in Helena. Today, two Centennial Train
tour of the United States. Artists Lyman Rice and Bud Wert cars can still be seen in Wibaux and West Yellowstone.
painted the 8' x 16' murals on behalf of the highway commission,
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Newsline is a quarterly publication of the Rail, Transit and Planning Division, Montana Department of Tra,,,,, ,ation.
MDT's mission is to serve the public by providing a transportation system and services
that emphasize quality, safety, cost effectiveness, economic vitality and sensitivity to the environment.
MONTANA
Rail, Transit & Planning Division Pre Sort Standard
Montana Department of Transportation U.S. Postage
2701 Prospect Avenue DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION PAID
PO Box 201001 Helena, MT
Helena, Montana 59620 -1001
800- 714-7296 Permit No. 141
HONORABLE KENNETH E OLSON JR
OR POSTAL CUSTOMER
MAYOR OF LAUREL
CITY OF LAUREL
PO BOX 10
LAUREL MT 59044 -0010
MDT attempts to provide accommodations for any known disability that may interfere with a person participating in any service, program, or activity of the Department. Alternative
accessible formats of this information will be provided upon request. For further information call (406)444 -3423. TTY (800)335 -7592, or the Montana Relay at 711.
MDT Wants Your Comments Contact Information
To receive a list of highway projects MDT plans to present to the Only the most frequently requested numbers are listed here. For an
Transportation Commission, visit http / /www.mdt.mt.gov/ area or person not listed, call 800 - 714 -7296 (in Montana only) or
pubinvolve / docs /trans_comm /proposed_proj.pdf, or give us a 406 - 444 -3423. The TTY number is 406 -444 -7696 or
call at 1- 800 - 714 -7296. You can mail your comments on 800 - 335 -7592.
proposed projects to MDT at the following address or e-mail them Administrator (Lynn Zanto) 444 - 3445
to mdtnewprojects @mt.gov. Izanto @mt.gov
MDT Project Analysis Manager Bicyclist /Pedestrian (Mark Keeffe) 444 - 9273
PO Box 201001 mkeeffe @mt.gov
Helena, MT 59620 - 1001 Environmental (Tom Martin) 444 -0879
tomartin @mt.gov
Highway Traffic Safety (Priscilla Sinclair) 444 -7417
Inside This Issue psinclair @mt.gov
Map Orders 444 -6119
http://www.mdt.mt.gov/travinfo/maps
Archaeologists Excavate Near Crow Agency Site 1 Multimodal Programs (Doug McBroom) 444 - 7289
Congressional Actions Renew Hope for Long-term
dmcbroom@mt.gov
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Transportation Funding
g p g 1 444 -7259
Projects (Paul Johnson)
enc Medical Services Grant Program in Third Round 2 paujohnson @mt
Emergency g Y g Secondary Roads (Wayne Noem) 444 - 6109
MDT Maintenance Crews Battle Winter Storms 3 wnoem @mt.gov
Holiday Gatherings — Host Responsibly 3 Road Data & Mapping (Ed Ereth) 444 - 6111
Montana Essential Freight Rail Loans Available 3 eereth @mt.gov
Montana Rest Areas — Then and Now 4 Traffic Data (Becky Duke) 444 - 6122
2011 —A Banner Year for CTEP Construction 4 bduke @mt.gov
MDT Transit Featured in the 2011 Tribal Relations Report 5 Transit (Audrey Allums) 444 - 4210
Safe Routes to School Application Deadline Drawing Near 5 aallums @mt.gov
MDT Experimental Research Projects in the Mix 6 Statewide & Urban Planning (Zia Kazimi) 444 - 7252
MDT and the 1964 Centennial Trail 7 zkazimi @mt.gov
Newsline Editor (Sandra Waddell) 444 -7614
swaddell @mt.gov
I 6150 copies were published at an estimated cost of $0.48 /copy, a total of $3013 includes $941 for printing and $2072 for distribution. I
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