Minnesota Agencies

Mn/DOT's mission is to improve access to markets, jobs, goods and services and improve mobility by focusing on priority transportation improvements and investments that help Minnesotans travel safer, smarter and more efficiently.

When created in 1976, the Transportation Department was formed in order to provide a balanced transportation system, which system includes aeronautics, highways, motor carriers, ports, public transit, railroads and pipelines. The department was meant to be the principal agency of the state for development, implementation, administration. consolidation, and coordination of state transportation policies, plans and programs.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation was created in 1976 when the legislature merged the former departments of highways and aeronautics, as well as portions of the Department of Public Service and the transportation-related functions of the State Planning Agency (Laws 1976 Chap. 166).

The department develops and implements policies, plans, and programs for aeronautics, highways, motor carriers, ports, public transit, railroads, and pipelines. The department constructs, maintains, and regulates transportation facilities and services. It promotes the efficient use of energy resources for transportation purposes. The department is supervised and controlled by the commissioner of transportation, who is appointed by the governor for a term coinciding with the governor's. The commissioner may appear as a party on behalf of the public in any proceeding before any governmental agency regulating public services or rates relating to transportation. The commissioner also provides technical and financial assistance to the Metropolitan Council and regional development commissions in the regional transportation planning process.

Commissioners serve four year terms, or at the pleasure of the governor.

James Harrington, 1976-1978; Dick Braun, 1979-1986; Leonard Levine, 1986-1991; John H. Riley, 1991; James Denn, 1991-1999; Elwyn Tinklenberg, 1999-2002; Lt. Gov. Carol Molnau, 2003-2008; Robert J. McFarlin, 2008; Thomas K. Sorel, 2008-2012; Bernie Arseneau, 2012; Charlie Zelle, 2013-January 6, 2019; Margaret Anderson Kelliher, January 7, 2019-March 1, 2022; Nancy Daubenberger (Temporary Commissioner), March 2, 2022 - May 23, 2022. On May 23, 2022, Govenor Walz announced the appointment of Nancy Daubenberger as Commissioner of Transportation.