The St. Joseph Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) identifies issues through the planning process at various times that require a great level of study to fully understand the options and decisions necessary for later implementation.

Generally speaking, such studies fall into the categories of access alternative studies or corridor studies. Put simply, variations of both study types attempt to analyze the various options possible to address an identified problem. The studies focus on speaking with stakeholders, the general public, environmental groups, government officials, and locally elected officials to obtain feedback concerning the goals and objectives of the community and how different project possibilities can both solve the identified issue and be compatible with the community itself.

Corridor studies often examine matters related to the best way to reach a point, identify the possible modes to do so (rail, highway, mass transit, bicycle, pedestrian, etc) and then factor in the technical challenges to do so, future/existing land uses, economics, and overall cost/benefit of the project. Lastly, a corridor study will then identify the recommended, physical route that should be preserved and developed to serve the purpose.

Access studies take a similar approach but are often a step further removed because not only does it accomplish the aims of a corridor study, it identifies and examines multiple corridors and options within each.

Since 1989, the MPO has conducted a study in each of the areas described. A corridor study was conducted in 1989 to examine the possible location for a circumferential arterial roadway to serve the eastern portion of the urbanized area, commonly known as the Riverside Road Corridor Study. In 2003 Senator Christopher Bond and Congressman Sam Graves were successful in working with local leaders in the St. Joseph area to begin implementation of a portion of this study from U.S. 169 to Pickett Road. The MPO is hopeful that future work will be initiated to implement the balance of the original recommendations in the future. Copies of the 1989 study are not available but the concepts have been incorporated into subsequent updates to the MPO's Long Range Transportation Plan.

In 2002 Senator Bond also supported the MPO's and City of St. Joseph's concern for access to and from the Riverfront in St. Joseph. The site is currently going through a development process and as traffic around special events increases, the sole access to and from the area is of concern for emergency services, is a detractant for the public to attend special events in the area, and also limits the development potential because of poor circulation and access. The challenge was to look at alternatives to alleviate these concerns while also tying into and enhancing re-development efforts in Downtown St. Joseph. This study was completed in 2006 and adopted by the St. Joseph City Council and the St. Joseph MPO thereafter.