BOZEMAN HILL — Driving from Bozeman to Livingston on I-90, you might have noticed bumps along the side of the road (pictured above). MTN drove on the highway to figure out exactly what they are and spoke with Chad Mozol, an engineering project manager for the Montana Department of Transportation.

On Facebook, several comments were calling the new highway additions “water bars.” MTN asked Chad what they are.

“So, those are called check dams, they’re really similar to water bars,” said Mozol.

One comment on Facebook called the check dams “another waste of government money,” while another said they believe it’s to help with snow runoff.

So, what is the purpose of the check dams?

“We’re trying to slow the water down as it goes down the hill, but keep it in its original path in the median

See Full Page