Key Milestones in Minnesota Transportation History
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1905
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The Legislature creates the State Highway Commission to build roads and bridges. |
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1917
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The State Highway Commission is abolished. The Legislature creates the Department of Highways |
1920
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A constitutional amendment is adopted to create a system of 70 trunk highways. |
1921
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The Legislature gives the Highway Department a mandate to acquire right of way; locate, construct, improve and maintain trunk highways; let necessary contracts; buy needed material and equipment; and expend necessary funds. |
1920s
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The Highway Commissioner won a state constitutional amendment allocating gas taxes solely to build and maintain roads. |
1944
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The
Federal Aid Highway Act authorized funding for postwar programs to
improve
secondary rural and urban roads. |
1945
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The Highway Department creates the State Aid Division to work with Minnesota's cities and counties. |
1956
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Congress enacted laws that set up funding for the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways. Minnesota voters approved a constitutional amendment to distribute state road user funds. The percentages established were 62% state, 29% county and 9% municipal. |
1969
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The Legislature established the Department of Public Safety. The Highway Patrol and Drivers License Bureau transfer from the Highway Department to Public Safety. |
1976 |
The Minnesota Department of Transportation was created and assumed the activities of the Departments of Aeronautics and Highways, plus transportation-related sections of the State Planning Agency and the Public Service Department. |
| Today | In
addition to roads and bridges, MnDOT develops and implements policies,
plans and programs for aeronautics, freight and passenger carriers, ports
and waterways, public transit, alternative transportation (bicycling), and railroads. |
History of MnDOT