The Tri-Lakes Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is a federally mandated agency responsible for coordinating transportation projects. The MPO, in partnership with the Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) allocates federal transportation funds for projects that will improve the region’s transportation system.

In 1962, Congress passed the Federal-Aid Highway Act, which required urbanized areas with populations of greater than 50,000 to form an MPO in order to expend federal transportation dollars in that particular area.

Therefore, in 2003, the Hot Springs Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) was officially designated. The MPO adopted its current name, Tri-Lakes MPO, in 2013. Notably, federal regulations require MPOs to be designated in urbanized areas with a population of at least 50,000 people; in order to carry out a Continuing, Cooperative, and Comprehensive (3-C) performance-based, multimodal, metropolitan transportation planning process. As such, the MPO’s planning partners include but are not limited to the following: FHWA, FTA, ARDOT, Garland County, City of Hot Springs (including Hot Springs Intracity Transit – HSIT), Hot Springs Village, Town of Fountain Lake, City of Mountain Pine, Greater Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce; Hot Spring County, and the general members of the public.

The Tri-Lakes MPO is a branch of the West Central Arkansas Planning and Development District (WCAPDD). Therefore, all MPO meetings (unless otherwise mentioned) are held at the WCAPDD at 10:00 am at 1000 Central Avenue, Hot Springs, AR 71901. If you want more information regarding agendas, committees, or meeting minutes, check out our Agenda & Minutes page.