After seeking extensive public and technical input, the Regional Transportation Authority Board of Directors approved a final draft of the RTA Next regional transportation plan for voter consideration.
The $2.67 billion plan will fund transportation improvements in the greater Tucson region for the next 20 years, if approved by voters. The election for the plan and a half-cent sales tax to fund it will be held on March 10, 2026.
“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.
The ongoing self-taxing investment, if approved in March, would not increase the current tax rate.
Funding for each proposed element of the plan includes:
- 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 that require voter approval.
Additional funding is needed partially 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.
The election will be conducted by mail with all registered voters receiving ballots in the mail starting Feb. 11, 2026. The last day to register to vote in the RTA election is Feb. 9. The last day to request an early ballot in time for the election is Feb. 27, and voters should return their ballots in the mail by March 3 to ensure they arrive by 7 p.m. March 10, when the election will end.
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.