MnDOT: The first 50 years

By Michael Brooks

In 1976, the Minnesota Legislature merged the activities of the former departments of Aeronautics and Highway and the transportation-related sections of the State Planning Agency and Public Service Department into a single state agency: The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT). 

When it created MnDOT 50 years ago, the Legislature put together a “job description” for the new agency, codified in MN Statutes 174.01. Here’s why they created the DOT:

Subdivision 1. Department created.

In order to provide an integrated transportation system of aeronautics, highways, motor carriers, ports, public transit, railroads, and pipelines, and including facilities for walking and bicycling, a Department of Transportation is created. The department is the principal agency of the state for development, implementation, administration, consolidation, and coordination of state transportation policies, plans, and programs.

MnDOT has had a half-century to include safe walking and biking facilities at the project level. Given the level of safety and access on the state roads near you, how do you think they are doing? Leave a comment below.