The Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization is seeking public input on which local transportation projects to fund in federal fiscal year 2026. According to a news release, there are 19 projects under consideration. They include roads, bridges, transit buses, trails, safe routes to schools and on-street facilities. More than $31 million has been requested for the projects from the Surface Transportation Block Grant Program, as well as the Surface Transportation Block Grant Set-Aside Program. The programs, funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation, administered by MPO, have a combined $13 million in funds available. Project descriptions and an interactive map can be found on the MPO website. Public comments will be accepted through March 11. The MPO scores projects on how well they meet regional performance measures set in the region’s updated long-range transportation plan, Mobilizing Tomorrow. The scores and public comments will be presented to a funding subcommittee of local officials, who will make a funding recommendation in April. The recommendations will be considered for final approval in May. Once awarded, the funds will be allocated in federal fiscal year 2026.