In February, you will receive a ballot in the mail with just two questions on it which are both related to RTA Next, a proposed $2.67 billion regional transportation plan and funding. The election, which is mail-in only, will be held on March 10.
For RTA Next to be implemented, both the 20-year plan (Prop 418) and funding source (Prop 419) will require voter approval.
The $2.67 billion plan will fund transportation improvements in the greater Tucson region for the next 20 years. It was crafted after seeking extensive public and technical input. After reviewing all the input, the Regional Transportation Authority Board of Directors approved a final draft of the RTA Next regional transportation plan for voter consideration.
“This was the result of many years of hard work and collaboration with our communities and jurisdictions,” said RTA Board Chair Joe Winfield, Mayor of Oro Valley.
The proposed plan would fund arterial roadway reconstruction, roadway corridor improvements, existing and expanded transit services, environmental protection, small business assistance, and safety, ADA and active transportation improvements, including safety features.
The bicycle, pedestrian and transit elements bolster the travel reduction efforts and will provide additional opportunities to drive less.
The ongoing self-taxing investment, if approved in March, would not increase the current RTA tax rate. In other words, you continue to pay the same as you are now.
Funding for each proposed element of the plan includes:
- Repaving – Arterial Roadway Reconstruction: $177.6 million
- Roadway (multimodal) Corridor Improvements: $1.42 billion
- Transit: $726 million
- Environmental: $50 million
- Safety, ADA, Active Transportation: $254.6 million
- Small business assistance: $10 million
Included in the plan total is $257.6 million to complete seven roadway corridor projects from the original RTA plan, which Pima County voters approved in 2006. The projects either are rescoped or require additional funding and these changes to the original plan require voter approval.
Additional funding is needed due to a funding shortfall following the 2008 Great Recession and project cost increases due to recent inflationary spikes in material and labor costs.
“Improving and maintaining our existing transportation networks is crucial for the mobility, connectivity, and livability of people across the region,” Winfield said. “This plan attempts to address as many of the transportation-related needs as possible with the funding that’s available.”
Complete details of the draft plan can be viewed here.
Important dates:
The election will be conducted by mail with ballots going out to all registered voters starting Feb. 11, 2026.
- Feb. 9 – The last day to register to vote
- Feb. 27 – The last day to request an early ballot
- March 3 – Put ballots in the mail to ensure receipt by 7 p.m. on Election Day
- March 10 – Election Day
The County Recorder will have ballot drop-off sites for voters who would rather submit their ballot in person. The Recorder also will have ballot replacement locations for voters who need that service. More info at https://www.recorder.pima.gov/ElectionCalendar