Bismarck-Mandan Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Technical Advisory Committee 2026-10-19

The Bismarck-Mandan Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Technical Advisory Committee met October 19, 2026. The committee unanimously recommended approval of the final 2027–2030 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), after staff incorporated public and oversight comments and checked projects against the state transportation program. It also approved the updated Fringe Area Roadway Plan; staff reported that all five member jurisdictions had already approved it. No project-level contract awards or dollar amounts were specified. The committee also unanimously recommended adoption of North Dakota DOT’s 2027 Highway Safety Improvement Program targets and its 2026–2030 infrastructure condition and system performance targets.

Staff and consultants provided updates on ongoing planning and data projects. Walker Consultants described the curb management study, including planned stakeholder engagement and analysis of curb access, parking, and enforcement; the transit development plan and rail station study were also progressing. The traffic data collection project, contracted in late September, completed field counts at specified locations, with initial deliverables under review. The committee discussed upcoming grant-program solicitations and application deadlines, including urban road, transportation alternatives, and highway safety improvement opportunities. No spending motions or new contract awards were identified.