About the Des Moines Area MPO
The Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) acts as the formal transportation body for the greater Des Moines metropolitan area, carrying out the intent of 23 CFR 450. In 1983, the Governor of Iowa designated the MPO as the official MPO for the Des Moines Urbanized Area, as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau. The MPO functions as the Transportation Management Area as well, as it exceeds the population threshold of 200,000 persons established in 23 CFR 450.104. The MPO is committed to implementing a comprehensive, coordinated, and continuing multimodal transportation planning process for the greater Des Moines metropolitan area.
The MPO provides a regional forum to ensure coordination between the public and local, state, and federal agencies in regard to 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.
