Public asked to help decide which local transportation projects to fund
Residents of Greater Des Moines are invited to share their opinions on which local transportation projects they would like to see receive funding from the Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO).
Twenty projects are under consideration, ranging from roadways, bridges and transit buses to trails, safe routes to school and on-street facilities. More than $25 million has been requested from the Surface Transportation Block Grant Program, as well as the Surface Transportation Block Grant Set-Aside Program, which combined have a approximately $13 million in available funding. Both grant programs are funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation and administered by the MPO.
Click here for an interactive map, where you can review the projects and leave comment now through Friday, February 15.
Comments can also be shared at a public meeting from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, February 12, at the MPO office, 420 Watson Powell, Jr. Way, Suite 200, Des Moines, IA 50309.
In addition to collecting public comment on the projects, the MPO staff has scored the projects on how well they help meet the regional performance measures established in Mobilizing Tomorrow, the region’s long-range transportation plan. The scores and public comments will be presented in February to a funding subcommittee of local elected officials, who will make a funding recommendation. The recommendation will be presented to the MPO Policy Committee in March for review and again in April for final approval. Once awarded, the grants will be allocated in federal fiscal year 2023.
For more information on the projects, please call or email MPO staff at 515-334-0075 or info@dmampo.org.