It’s been almost 20 years since Pima County voters approved the Regional Transportation Authority plan and half-cent sales tax to fund plan improvements. In that time, more than $1.6 billion has been invested to improve the region’s transportation network.
RTA member organizations have together delivered nearly 1,050 improvements to reduce congestion, improve access for cyclists and pedestrians, and greatly expand transit services.
The latest RTA Our Mobility brochure provides an annual update on the $2.1 billion RTA plan, which is effective through June 2026. The plan includes four main elements: roadway improvement, safety, environmental and economic vitality, and transit.
The roadway element includes major corridor improvements, including additional travel lanes, sidewalks, bike lanes, and drainage improvements.
Safety includes elderly and pedestrian safety improvements, bus pullouts, intersection safety improvements, and traffic signal system modernizations.
The environmental and economic vitality element includes wildlife linkage structures, new greenways and pathways; and small business support.
Some of the transit elements include expansion of weekend and evening Sun Tran bus service, enhanced bus service frequency, expanded service areas, services for elderly and disabled riders, and construction of the downtown streetcar system.
Through sales tax revenues collected from the RTA’s taxing district within the county, the RTA offers flexibility in how funding is prioritized long-term. Starting with public input before voter approval of the plan, the public could weigh in on their views of transportation investment priorities and project scheduling and then had the final say at the ballot. Under categorical elements, the RTA plan also offers flexibility and versatility in project selection and associated funding over the life of the plan.
To date, RTA improvements include:
- 370 miles of new bike lanes
- 202 intersection improvements
- 183 miles of new sidewalks
- 180 new bus pullouts
- 83 pedestrian crossings
- 19 completed roadway corridors
Read more about the RTA plan and read the Our Mobility brochure.
