This page gives information on MDT history, highlighting some of MDT library's historical resources as well as Montana State Library resources which pertain to MDT history.
1889: In November, Montana becomes the 41st state.
1919: Montana Highway Department formed. State divided into four districts in Helena, Great Falls, Glasgow and Billings, each under supervision of a district engineer.
1926: In November, voters pass Good Roads Bill (Initiative 31), which authorized a 3 cent per gallon state gasoline tax, with the revenue going to match federal highway funds. This was a turning point in the department history, making the commission responsible for the funding, design and construction of road and bridge projects on primary highways.
1956: President Dwight D. Eisenhower signs Federal-Aid Highway Act into law. The single most important highway legislation of the late 20th century, it established the Interstate highway system and provided significant amounts of money to the states to complete the system by 1972. The federal-aid ratio for public lands states like Montana was 91 percent federal funds to 9 percent state funds. The state Highway Department significantly expanded its operations to accomplish what Eisenhower wanted.
1978: New Highway Complex, where the department has its headquarters east of Helena, is occupied in October.
1991: Montana Highway Department reorganized as Montana Department of Transportation.
2013: Department celebrates its centennial.
Present: MDT continues to oversee transportation in various formats in the 21st century and looks to the future for innovative ways to improve transportation for those in Montana.
To see the full timeline written by MDT Historian Jon Axline, click here.
