The Fargo-Moorhead Metropolitan Council of Governments (Metro COG) has finalized the 2050 Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP). The plan incorporates significant changes following the Fargo-Moorhead Urbanized Area’s designation as a Transportation Management Area (TMA), based on the 2020 Census population estimate of 216,214 residents. As a TMA, Metro COG and local jurisdictions now have increased responsibility in prioritizing and selecting transportation projects for federal funding. Regional population growth is forecasted to continue, with an estimated 357,322 residents by 2050, highlighting the importance of proactive transportation planning.
The MTP outlines a comprehensive vision for the future, addressing current and anticipated transportation needs. It is designed to respond to population shifts, update policy direction, adapt to new legislation and guidance, and align with regional planning efforts. The plan is structured around ten goals developed through collaboration with community members and regional partners:
- Safety and System Security
- Travel Efficiency and Reliability
- Walking, Biking, and Rolling
- Transit Access and Reliability
- Maintaining Transportation Infrastructure
- Community Context and Impact Reduction
- Freight Network — Moving Goods
- Emerging Transportation Trends
- Transportation Decision-Making
- Connecting People and Places
Together, these goals aim to support a balanced, multimodal transportation system that accommodates future growth and evolving mobility trends.