The Minnesota Department of Transportation was created by the state legislature in 1976. Its role was to develop and implement policies, plans and programs for highway, railroads, commercial waterways, aeronautics, public transit and motor carriers.

MnDOT serves the citizens of Minnesota who rely on having access to good roads; provides transportation choices that balance personal, social, economic and environmental values; and sees that all transportation systems and services work smoothly together.

Eight MnDOT districts serve citizens throughout Minnesota. Services provided by the districts include planning, design, construction and maintenance of the state and federal highway systems. They aid and assist the county and city street systems that qualify for state and federal dollars. Transit, trail and rail coordination is also provided by the MnDOT district offices.

District 4 is located in the west central region of Minnesota including Becker, Big Stone, Clay, Douglas, Grant, Mahnomen, Otter Tail, Pope, Stevens, Swift, Traverse and Wilkin counties.

From the lakes to the prairie, this region’s steady economic growth includes agriculture, tourism, manufacturing and truck transportation. The 12-county area includes more than 500 manufacturing firms and more than 400 trucking firms that depend on the highway system for safe and efficient movement of goods.

Approximately 210 employees work from two headquarters offices located in Detroit Lakes and Morris, four sub-areas operated out of Alexandria, Detroit Lakes, Fergus Falls, and Morris, and 17 maintenance truck stations. District employees play an essential role in the safety and efficiency of Minnesota’s transportation system. Tools such as market research help determine and meet customer needs to support the region’s mobility and economic vitality.