The past few weeks have been momentous for Margaret Anderson Kelliher and the state department she oversees.

In early November, the Minnesota Department of Transportation officially wrapped up its 2021 construction season, which advanced or completed more than 260 projects, including the mammoth $239 million, four-year overhaul of Interstate 35W south of downtown Minneapolis.

More recently, the federal government announced the passage of the $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill, which will deliver billions of dollars to roads, bridges, mass transit and more in Minnesota.

In the following interview, Anderson Kelliher speaks with Reporter Brian Johnson about the passage of the federal bill, the newly completed construction season, the future of transportation funding and more.