RTA Plan
Pima County voters approved a 20-year regional transportation plan in 2006 and a half-cent excise (sales) tax to fund it. The Regional Transportation Authority manages the finances and overall implementation of the $2.1 billion plan.
The plan set out to reduce the growing congestion at that time, improve safety and regional mobility, and expand transportation mode choices to meet regional transportation demands over 20 years. The plan was developed through a historic regional collaborative effort involving local, county, state and tribal governments, and through public input gathered during citizen advisory committee meetings, open houses, surveys, stakeholder meetings and community presentations.
Plan improvements cover:
- roadway corridors
- safety
- transit
- environmental and economic vitality
Project areas include:
- new and widened roadway corridors
- highway interchanges
- new and innovative intersections
- signalized pedestrian crossings
- bike lanes and bike paths
- bus pullouts
- advanced signal technology
- wildlife linkages
- drainage improvements
- new landscaping and public art
Through March 10, 2025, nearly 1,050 projects and services have been delivered. The current plan and sales tax are in effect through June 2026. Some of the remaining projects or project phases will be completed after 2026 with remaining available funds as approved by the RTA Board. The RTA Board is finalizing a new draft plan for voter consideration and will seek a new 20-year half-cent sales tax to fund it. Learn more about RTA Next.
The RTA taxing district within Pima County boundaries was established by the Arizona Legislature in 2004. The RTA is managed by Pima Association of Governments, the region’s metropolitan planning organization and council of governments. The PAG Regional Council and RTA Board are comprised of the chief elected members of the governing bodies from all local and county governments, and tribal nations and the Governor-appointed Pima County representative on the Arizona State Transportation Board.