The Bismarck-Mandan Metropolitan Planning Organization agreed Tuesday to seek a request for proposals for a consultant on a sub-area transportation study in northwest Bismarck.

The sub-area study area consists of about 13 square miles in northwest Bismarck and portions of Burleigh County.

The study will consider arterial and collector roadways and trails in the area bounded to the north by N.D. Highway 1804, to the west by the Missouri River, to the south by Interstate 94 and to the east by North Washington Street.

The purpose of the study is to develop and evaluate cost-effective alternatives for improving motorized and non-motorized mobility in the area.

Neighborhood concerns will be addressed such as pedestrian safety, roadways and intersections.

Impacts upon residential developments, parks, schools, historical areas and socio-economics will be considered.

Steve Saunders, a transportation planner for the Bismarck-Mandan MPO, said the study is being done because northwest Bismarck is where several new residential developments are surfacing.

He said the need for arterial and collector roads are anticipated there for the future because of higher traffic counts.

Bids for the consultant are expected to be advertised for opening Nov. 20.

The MPO also revisited its Long Range Transportation Plan.

The LRTP discussed will set transportation goals on a short-term basis, up to five years; medium range, five to 15 years; and long-range, 15 years and more.

The plan must be updated every five years. It is about 30 percent complete. "We completed the first round of meetings in July and August," said Ben Ehreth, transportation planner for the Bismarck-Mandan MPO.

"A set of goals and objectives were identified. It drives and identifies what the priorities are," he said. "Right now, they are looking at existing conditions."

(Reach reporter LeAnn Eckroth at 250-8264 or leann.eckroth@bismarcktribune.com.)