The Montana Department of Administration GIS Bureau has announced the availability of the Transportation Framework data via FTP and ArcIMS Web Services. This first release of the database is a "geometry only" version, but does have all available road names, and includes bridges and freeway ramps.

A personal Geodatabase is available for download at: ftp://gis.mt.gov/TransportationFramework

You will need ArcGIS version 9.1 to read this geodatabase.

The data is also available as an ArcIMS web service.  The server to add is www.gis.mt.gov

If you have any questions on how to do this, feel free to contact Mark Tripp at mtripp@mt.gov.

This database is extremely dynamic and updates and refinements are made daily. The GIS Bureau will make new versions available as given update processes are complete.  They value your input on this initial version, and want to create an accurate product. If you find any obvious errors, spatial or otherwise, please let Mark Tripp know.

The GIS Bureau has plans over the next several months to add addressing support to the road network, and to populate other valuable attributes such as fuel tax eligibility for a given line segment, MDT Identifiers, Surface Types, and Speed Limits. They also intend to work out a consistent symbology scheme to facilitate cartographic endeavors and web-based display of line segments.