What is an MPO?

A Metropolitan Planning Organization , commonly referred to as an MPO, is an association of local agencies that coordinate transportation planning and development activities within a metropolitan area. Establishment of an MPO is required by law in urban areas with populations of more than 50,000 in order for the area to use federal transportation funding.

MPOs are established to ensure coordination and cooperation among the various jurisdictions that oversee transportation within the urban area.

On August 10, 2005, President Bush signed into law the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users SAFETEA-LU. This is the transportation law that guides not only the funding, but the planning for transportation nationwide. One of the fundamental regulations outlined in SAFETEA-LU is that the state and each MPO must create a Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). The creation/decision-making of the TIP is guided by:

• A policy board, generally comprised of local elected officials and public agency officials who administer or operate major modes of transportation, and
• A technical advisory group of professional planners and engineers who are often employees of the same agencies.

An MPO is not a level of government; however, the MPO has effective control over transportation improvements within the area since a project must be a part of the MPO's adopted long-range plan and be placed in their metropolitan transportation improvement program (TIP) in order to receive federal funding.

SAFETEA-LU requires that the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) and the TIP “mirror” each other. In other words, the federal-aid or regionally significant projects in the TIP must be reflected in the STIP. There are six (6) metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) in Idaho (see below). You may contact them for more information or to get a copy of their Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). The Northern Ada County Metropolitan Planning Area is also Idaho’s only designated transportation Management Area (TMA).

Our Metropolitan Partners:

1. Kootenai Metropolitan Planning Organization (KMPO) consisting of all the communities in Kootenai County.

Glenn F. Miles, Transportation Manager 221 W. First Avenue, Suite 310 Spokane, WA 99201 Phone: 509.343-6370 or 800.698-1927 FAX: 509.343-6400



2. Lewis-Clark Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization (LCVMPO) consisting of the cities of Lewiston and Clarkston.

Steve Watson, Director P.O. Box 759 Asotin, WA Phone: 208.746-1318 FAX: 208.746-5595



3. Community Planning Association of Southwest Idaho (COMPASS) – Northern Ada County Metropolitan Planning Area consisting of the cities of Boise, Garden City, Eagle, Meridian, Kuna, and Star, and



4. Nampa Metropolitan Planning Area consisting of the cities of Nampa, Caldwell and Middleton.

Matt Stoll, Director 800 S. Industry Way, Ste 100 Meridian, ID 83642 Phone: 208.855-2558 FAX: 208.855-2559 For TIP Information, Contact: Toni Tisdale, TIP Coordinator



5. Bannock Transportation Planning Organization (BPO) consisting of the cities of Pocatello and Chubbuck and the urbanized area of Bannock County.

Mori Byington, Planning Director PO Box 6129 Pocatello ID 83205-6129 Phone: 208.233-9322 ext.23 FAX: 208.233-4841



6. Bonneville Metropolitan Planning Organization (BMPO) consisting of the cities of Idaho Falls, Ammon and Iona and the urbanized area of Bonneville County.

Darrell West, Executive Director P.O. Box 50220 Idaho Falls, ID Phone: 208 612-8539 FAX: 208.612-8520