MPO announces project funding to advance regional goals
The Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) today announces $15 million in grant awards for 16 projects around Greater Des Moines.
The MPO grants support a wide variety of projects. Some expand system capacity, such as the Southeast Connector, a street widening in Ankeny, and an interstate interchange in Clive. Others improve existing infrastructure, with major road reconstruction projects in Altoona, West Des Moines and Windsor Heights, as well as bridge improvements in Des Moines and Polk County.
The funding also supports multimodal transportation options, including new buses and shelters for the Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority (DART), electric bikes for the BCycle bike-share program, and investments in new trails in Des Moines and Ankeny.
“We are really pleased with this cycle of grant awards,” said Joe Gatto, Des Moines City Council member and Chair of the MPO Policy Committee. “This shows you how the region is working together to build a regional transportation network with options for all residents.”
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) and the Surface Transportation Block Grant Set-Aside Program (STBG – Set Aside), which are 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 2023.
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 feedbacks on the proposed projects. This information was the basis for a recommendation to the MPO Policy Committee, which approved the funding on April 16.
Mobilizing Tomorrow is the long-range transportation plan for the year 2050 adopted by the Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) in November 2019. The plan outlines how the MPO’s member governments throughout the Greater Des Moines region will invest approximately $8.1 billion in transportation funding over the next 35 years.
The Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) acts as a regional forum to ensure coordination between the public and local, state, and federal agencies regarding planning issues and to prepare transportation plans and programs. The MPO develops both long- and short-range multimodal transportation plans, selects and approves projects for federal funding based upon regional priorities, and develops methods to reduce traffic congestion.