If you did a poll on public confidence in state agencies, it's unlikely the Minnesota Department of Transportation would fare too well. Memories of the missteps of the previous leadership team at MnDOT remain all too fresh for most state residents.

Now under the direction of Commissioner Tom Sorel, the department is back to building bridges and fixing roads and, in the process, rebuilding public trust. Sorel took another important step this month when he created the position of transportation ombudsman at the agency.

The ombudsman, Deb Ledvina, is an attorney with more than 16 years of experience at MnDOT. In her new role, she'll investigate complaints from citizens, other public agencies, interest groups and businesses that work with MnDOT. She'll also be developing plans for a Transportation Center for Conflict and Consensus that will include research and education. Ledvina will focus on construction projects and won't be involved in internal disputes. Sorel said the ombudsman will be the "conscience of the department."

MnDOT officials acknowledge that because the position is new, the job description is a work in progress, and its effectiveness won't be known for months.

Nevertheless, Sorel deserves credit for continuing to make MnDOT a more transparent agency. The effort alone should help boost public confidence.

To learn more about MnDOT's ombudsman, go to www.dot.state.mn.us/ombudsman.