Bismarck and Mandan residents and businesses are being urged to participate in the Metropolitan Planning Organization's public hearings to update the long range transportation plan.

There are two meetings. One is from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Mandan City Commission chambers, 205 Second Ave. NW, and the other is from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Public Works Building, 601 S. 26th St., Bismarck.

Earlier this spring the MPO initiated the 18-month process of updating the 2030 plan to 2035.

This revamp helps identify and prioritize what the transportation needs are of the communities for not only automotive means, but all modes of transportation except aerial, said Ben Ehreth, MPO transportation planner.

"If there are bicyclists and they have issues with that too," he said. "This is definitely a meeting where we would like to hear those concerns."

Since the process began, the MOP has identified some issues, but said the meetings are important for citizens to identify more issues the MOP may not be aware of yet.

Although the meetings are a federal requirement in order to get federal aid, Ehreth said they would likely hold them anyway because the input is so valuable.

- Chris Rosacker