The Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) has awarded more than $15 million to 16 transportation projects improving Greater Des Moines.

The projects receiving funding range from widening streets and the reconstruction of existing roads and bridges, as well as trails, streetscapes and transit buses. The grants are available through the Surface Transportation Block Grant Program and the Surface Transportation Block Grant Set-Aside Program, which are funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation and administered by the MPO. The grant money becomes available for these projects in October 2021.

Click here for complete listing of FY2022 STBG Funding Awards

“We continue to enhance and optimize the region’s transportation system with these grants, in order to ensure we meet our long-term goals,” West Des Moines Mayor and MPO Chair Steve Gaer said, referring to the region’s long-term transportation plan, Mobilizing Tomorrow. Those goals are to enhance multimodal transportation options, optimize existing transportation infrastructure, improve the region’s environmental health, and further the health, safety and well-being of all residents.

MPO staff scored the projects on how well they help meet the regional performance measures established in Mobilizing Tomorrow. Additionally, the public provided comments and feedbacks on the proposed projects. The MPO Funding Subcommittee reviewed applications, scoring and public comment and made a recommendation to the MPO Policy Committee, which approved the funding for the recommended projects on April 19.