Overview
The Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) provides a forum for public officials, citizens, and other interested groups to establish policies and plans for effectively addressing various metropolitan transportation issues. The MPO is comprised of five jurisdictions, including Bismarck, Lincoln, Mandan, and portions of Burleigh and Morton counties. The By-Laws of the Bismarck-Mandan Area Metropolitan Planning Organization regulate and govern the affairs of the Bismarck-Mandan MPO and prescribe the composition of the Technical Advisory Committee and the Policy Board. 
 
The Bismarck-Mandan MPO is one of three MPOs in North Dakota. In addition to transportation planning efforts, the MPO must also develop and regularly update a Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP), a Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), and a Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP). More information about the preceding documents can be found on the MPO Publications section of the MPO web page.

The MPO receives direction from the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) and the Policy Board. The TAC is comprised primarily of planning and engineering staff members from the MPO's member jurisdictions. The TAC provides recommendations based on professional judgment for the MPO's Policy Board. The Policy Board is a five-member board comprised of the mayors of Bismarck, Lincoln, and Mandan and a commissioner from Burleigh and Morton counties. The Policy Board is the decision-making body of the MPO. More information about the TAC and Policy Board can be found in the Boards and Advisory Committees section of the MPO web page.