Each metropolitan planning organization (MPO) must prepare a Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP), in accordance with 49 USC 5303(i), to accomplish the objectives outlined by the MPO, the state, and the public transportation providers with respect to the development of the metropolitan area’s transportation network. This plan must identify how the metropolitan area will manage and operate a multi-modal transportation system (including transit, highway, bicycle, pedestrian, and accessible transportation) to meet the region’s economic, transportation, development and sustainability goals – among others – for a 20+-year planning horizon, while remaining fiscally constrained.

A Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) shapes how people will get around for the next 20 years or more. MTPs are not just about pavement and lights, though - our transportation system affects jobs, safety, the economy, happiness, and even air quality.

At their core, MTPs matter because:

• There is not enough money to fund all of the needed improvements: After reviewing technical information and seeking input from community stakeholders, tough decisions must be made about where to invest our limited resources and what to leave unfunded.
• Less traffic & safer roads: MTPs guide which highways, streets, and intersections get fixed or expanded so commutes are smoother and safer.
• Options beyond driving: They plan for better public transit, sidewalks, and bike routes—so everyone has more ways to get where they need to go.
• Economic growth: Businesses depend on good transportation. Plans decide where freight trucks can move efficiently, and where new developments can grow without clogging roads.
• Health & environment: By including cleaner transportation options, MTPs help improve air quality and reduce pollution.
• Smart use of your tax dollars: Federal, state, and local funding is tied to these plans—BTPO's plans use extensive data related to traffic counts, traffic travel times, roadway configurations, household demographic and vehicle ownership data, crash data, employment data, and much more to analyze which investments in the community would have the most impact.

In short: The MTP is the roadmap for how our community grows and moves. It decides whether your daily life in 5, 10, or 20 years feels more convenient, connected, and safe—or more congested, frustrating, and costly. Help be part of the planning process to create a plan that will impact your life.

Throughout the Metropolitan Transportation Planning (MTP) update planning process, BTPO will be working very closely with elected members of our communities along with staff from both cities, the County, and with representatives from the Idaho Transportation Department to obtaining technical information related to existing and future conditions. As data is gathered and analyzed, BTPO and its committees (Technical Advisory Committee & Policy Board) will be making conclusions on the data and will be drafting recommendations for how to enhance the transportation network through the 2055 horizon year through use of transportation investments or programs.

Follow us on Facebook or Instagram to stay informed of our public outreach efforts related to those draft recommendations - we want input from:

• People of all abilities and backgrounds
• People who own 3 vehicles or 0
• People use the transportation network to bike or walk to work (whether out of recreation or necessity
• People who use the transportation network to ship or receive freight or packages (whether for a business or to your home)
• People who work across town or people who work from home
• People who are retired
• People with children in school or people without children

In short- we want everyone's input - so follow us on our Facebook or Instagram pages. If you'd like direct outreach as this project is updated, sign up through the "+ Follow" button at the top of this page. Most of our public outreach will occur at the end of 2026 and into 2027.