FFY 2026 — Surface Transportation Block Grant Program

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).

Nineteen projects are under consideration, ranging from roadways, bridges and transit buses to trails, safe routes to school and on-street facilities. More than $31 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 an approximately $13 million in available funding. Both grant programs are funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation and administered by the MPO.

The public can find project descriptions and an interactive map of the 19 projects online using the following link: STBG and TAP Projects Public Input Map. and leave comments.

Comments will be collected on the site now through Friday, March 11.


The MPO is soliciting projects for Federal Fiscal Year 2026 Surface Transportation Block Grant Funding. For more information on FFY 2026 STBG funding, please call or email MPO staff at 515-334-0075 or info@dmampo.org.

FFY 2026 Program Schedule:

The schedule for the Surface Transportation Program follows the federal fiscal year (FFY), which is October 1 – September 30.

December 3, 2021 — Application process opens
January 7, 2022 — Applications are due
February 2022 — Public input meeting at MPO office.
February 2022 — Applicants present projects to MPO Funding Subcommittee
February/March 2022 — MPO Funding Subcommittee recommends project awards
April 2022 — Recommended awards presented to MPO Policy Committee
May 2022 — MPO Policy Committee votes on final awards

Click here for full STBG Program guidelines and scoring criteria

Applications:

STBG Online Application
STBG Bridge Program Application
STBG Planning Study Application

Application Questions (online submittal only):

STBG Questions
STBG Bridge Program Questions
STBG Planning Study Questions

Additional Resources

Mobilizing Tomorrow
Chapter 2: Goals, Measures, & Targets
Chapter 3: Investment Strategies 
Chapter 4: Policies and Best Practices
Appendix A: Technical Resources
Appendix I: Congestion Management Process
Hierarchy of Congestion Strategies
Trail Gap Map
On-Street Bikeway Feasibility Report
Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Readiness Report