The Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) today announces more than $16 million in grant awards for 16 projects around Greater Des Moines.

The MPO grants support a wide variety of projects. Some address system capacity, such as pavement reconstruction in Grimes and Waukee, major reconstruction or replacement projects in eight jurisdictions, system optimization projects in three jurisdictions, a bridge replacement in Des Moines, and replacement buses for the Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority (DART). Click here for a complete listing of funded projects.

“As an organization we have been focused on optimizing the transportation system we already have,” said Bob Andeweg, Urbandale Mayor and MPO Chair. “And we are pleased that this year’s grants are largely focused on improving the existing network.”

Through these projects, the MPO seeks to advances the region’s transportation goals: to manage and optimize existing transportation infrastructure and services, enhance multimodal transportation options, improve the region’s environmental health, and further the health, safety and well-being of all residents in the region.

The grants are available through the Surface Transportation Block Grant Program (STBG), which is funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation and administered by the Des Moines Area MPO. The grant money becomes available for these projects in October 2027.

MPO staff scored the projects on how well they would help meet the regional performance measures established in Mobilizing Tomorrow. Additionally, the public provided comments and feedback on the proposed projects. This information was the basis for a recommendation to the MPO Policy Committee, which approved the funding in April.