Public
Notices

The Siouxland Interstate Metropolitan Planning Council (SIMPCO) Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and Siouxland Regional Transportation Planning Association (SRTPA) Passenger Transportation Plan (PTP) Amendments

The MPO Policy Board will be voting on the following PTP amendment at the upcoming meeting on September 5, 2024, and the SRTPA Policy Board will be voting on the following PTP amendments at the upcoming meeting on September 26, 2024

1. Section 3.1.04 Facility Needs (pg 73) Siouxland Regional Transit System.  A new SRTS facility and offices were officially opened in October 2023. Funded through a US DOT BUILD grant, the facility is the first to receive 100% funding. The events of the pandemic and subsequent chain of events affecting production timelines and cost of materials did result in some changes in the final build plans. Rather than fully housing the SRTS fleet of vehicles, the facility has space for 15 buses but does include a mechanic/maintenance bay and a bus wash space. Though included in the original budget, some features such as the operational automatic bus wash are still pending. Funding opportunities will continue to be pursued for facility components and expansion to original planned capacity.

2. Section 3.3 – Any Other Recent Developments Affecting Coordination Issues (pg 79) SRTS was awarded a US DOT BUILD grant, the first of its kind, that fully funded a new facility including a garage for indoor vehicle parking, dedicated dispatch and administrative offices, a bus wash (still pending additional funding for full implementation), and mechanic’s bay. At the time of this plan update, SRTS staff is centered at the new facility and bus storage/parking is transitioning from its contracted location to the new site for vehicles servicing Woodbury County origins and destinations. Construction began post pandemic and therefore costs far exceeded planned expenditures. With adjustments made to accommodate the increased costs, the garage was downsized allowing for future expansion on the current building site as allocated for the original scope of the project. SRTS intends to pursue funding opportunities to expand the bus storage space to achieve the original scope of the project as well as office expansion to accommodate anticipated growth and support staff needs. While the current building provides centralized services for Woodbury County and immediate access to Highway 20 and Interstate 29, as demand for services continues to increase over time, there will be a need for satellite bus storage locations in Le Mars and Cherokee to better serve the rural communities in Plymouth and Cherokee Counties, respectively. Indoor storage at these satellite locations will protect SRTS’ buses and vans, expanding the useful life of these capital investments.

3. Section 4.1 Support Capital Needs (pg 85) The on-going support of the PTP is tied directly to the maintenance, and at times expansion of the capital infrastructure in the MPO and SRTPA planning area. Before the MPO and SRTPA can think about strategies for improving mobility for older adults, people with disabilities and people with lower incomes, it must ensure that the foundation of services are in place which requires a sufficient capital network. Maintaining a basic capital infrastructure via vehicle replacement, vehicle rehabilitation, vehicle equipment improvements, and new vehicles would be the primary expense to ensure a successful level of assistance. To ensure these capital infrastructure investments are maintained to the highest degree and protected to prolong their useful life, SRTS will seek funds to expand the current garage facilities to accommodate additional indoor vehicle storage at the site of the current building. Satellite garage facilities will also be necessary to protect vehicles stored in the communities of Le Mars and Cherokee as demand for services grows in Plymouth and Cherokee counties. In addition to these garage storage facilities, SRTS intends to pursue expansion of the existing building to accommodate a growing number of SRTS and SIMPCO staff members. SIMPCO’s relationship with SRTS as a tenant of the building offsets costs of maintenance and purchase of new capital equipment. Therefore, as an essential component of SRTS operational structure, it is necessary to consider the future office and meeting space needs for both SRTS and SIMPCO staff.

The MPO meeting will be held on September, 5 2024 at 1:30 p.m. and the SRTPA Policy Board meeting will be held on September 26, 2024 at 9:30 a.m. Both meetings will take place in the SIMPCO Board Room (6401 Gordon Drive, Sioux City) and via Zoom. To participate electronically, please email or call SIMPCO to obtain the meeting ID and password. simpco@simpco.org or by phone at 712-279-6286.

Due to road construction, there are only two access points to the SIMPCO/SRTS facility. Directions and a map can be found on the SIMPCO/SRTS website.

Questions or comments on the proposed PTP amendments should be directed to Michelle Bostinelos, Executive Director, 712-279-6286.

View the current PTP. 

The MPO and SRTPA Policy Board meetings are open to all individuals.  Any person with a special need requiring reasonable accommodation or transportation to participate in a Policy Board meeting should contact the SIMPCO office at 712-279-6286 at least two (2) business days prior to the Policy Board meeting.

The Siouxland Interstate Metropolitan Planning Council (SIMPCO) Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) FY 2024-2027  and FY 2025-2028Transportation Improvement Program Administrative Modification and Amendment.

The MPO Policy Board will be voting on the following TIP amendment at the upcoming meeting on September 5, 2024:

Administrative Modification (FY 2025-2028 TIP):

1.  West Street Bridge Replacement (TPMS #53079) in Sioux City needs to be programmed for a total estimated cost of $1,500,000 with 100% Federal participation (HBP) in FY 2025.

Amendments  (FY 2024-2027 TIP):

1. Iowa DOT project I-29 Pavement Marking from Monona County to Sergeant Bluff (TPMS #55585) needs to be programmed for a total estimated cost of $666,586 with $599,927 Federal participation (HSIP) in FY 2024.
2. Iowa DOT project U.S. Highway 75 Pavement Planning from US 20 Interchange to N of Co Rd C80 (TPMS #54685) needs to be programmed for a total estimated cost of $2,030,454 with $1,624,363 (CRP) in FY 2024.

The meeting will be held on September 5, 2024 at 1:30 p.m. in the SIMPCO Board Room (6401 Gordon Drive, Sioux City) and via Zoom.   To participate electronically, please email or call SIMPCO to obtain the meeting ID and password. simpco@simpco.org or by phone at 712-279-6286

Due to road construction, there are only two access points to the SIMPCO/SRTS facility. Directions and a map can be found on the SIMPCO/SRTS website.

Questions or comments on the proposed TIP amendments or modifications should be directed to Michelle Bostinelos, Executive Director, 712-279-6286

View the current TIP.

The MPO Policy Board meetings are open to all individuals.  Any person with a special need requiring reasonable accommodation or transportation to participate in a Policy Board meeting should contact the SIMPCO office at 712-279-6286 at least two (2) business days prior to the Policy Board meeting.

SIMPCO Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) FY 2025 Transportation Planning Work Program Amendment

The Siouxland Interstate Metropolitan Planning Council (SIMPCO) Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is in the process of amending the SIMPCO MPO FY 2025 Transportation Planning Work Program (TPWP) with approval scheduled for September 5, 2024.  The TPWP describes the transportation planning activities staff will undertake during the next fiscal year.  Each major activity is described in detail to include the task objective, previous work, project description, future products, and budget information on each activity.  The amendment includes the programming of an intersection crossing study on Dakota Ave in South Sioux City.   The amended FY 2025 TPWP is now available for public comment. The document can be viewed at SIMPCO: 6401 Gordon Drive, Sioux City, IA 51106 or here.

Due to road construction, there are only two access points to the SIMPCO/SRTS facility. Directions and a map can be found on the SIMPCO website.

Please submit all comments on the Amended FY 2025 TPWP on or before September 5, 2024 to Michelle Bostinelos, Executive Director, SIMPCO:  (712) 279-6286 or by email at mbostinelos@simpco.org.

The Policy Board meeting will be held on September 5, 2024 at 1:30 pm at SIMPCO (6401 Gordon Drive, Sioux City, IA 51104) AND via video/telephone conference. To participate electronically, please call SIMPCO at 712-279-6286 for Zoom Meeting ID and Passcode or email simpco@simpco.org.

The MPO Policy Board meetings are open to all individuals. Any person with a special need requiring reasonable accommodation or transportation to participate in a Policy Board meeting should contact the SIMPCO office at 712-279-6286 at least two (2) business days prior to the Policy Board meeting.