MnDOT chief Sorel stepping down

MnDOT commissioner
Minnesota Department of Transportation Commissioner Tom Sorel in a file photo.
MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson

Gov. Mark Dayton announced Thursday that Minnesota Department of Transportation Commissioner Tom Sorel will step down to become president and CEO of AAA Minneapolis.

Sorel was appointed by former Gov. Tim Pawlenty, and has served as transportation commissioner since April of 2008.

Sorel said he's proud of his work integrating transit and other non-car based forms of transportation into Minnesota's statewide system.

"We are committed to that as an agency and we feel that that is what a world-class transportation system really looks like," he said.

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Sorel said he's also proud of his work helping to rebuild MnDOT's reputation after the Interstate 35W bridge collapse five years ago.

"I think we've regained our standing as a national leader in transportation," Sorel said. "I think we've regained public trust and confidence in MnDOT as an agency."

Sorel's last day at MnDOT will be Nov. 30.

Dayton has appointed Bernie Arseneau to serve as acting commissioner. Arseneau, who's been with MnDOT for nearly 30 years, is currently the agency's deputy commissioner and chief engineer.

Arseneau's past roles at MnDOT include division director for the MnDOT policy, safety & strategic initiatives division; director of the office of traffic; safety and operations while serving as the state traffic engineer; area maintenance engineer; and tort claims and traffic standards engineer.