Behind the scenes: how RTA helps businesses during projects
Road construction invariably disrupts traffic, but with its built-in, complimentary MainStreet Business Assistance Program, the Regional Transportation Authority aims to reduce the impact on regional businesses, large and small, before and during construction of transportation improvement projects from the RTA’s 20-year regional transportation plan. MainStreet serves and consults the businesses … Read more »
Utility relocation underway on East Grant Road
Moving utilities is an important part of all roadway corridor projects in the voter-approved Regional Transportation Plan. When a road is widened, access to electrical boxes that control traffic signals, manhole locations for sewer and water lines, plus underground gas lines and overhead power and telecommunications lines all must be … Read more »
Bike and pedestrian count happening now – you can help
The Regional Transportation Authority’s 20-year plan includes infrastructure improvements for bicyclists and pedestrians, and right now you can contribute to future planning efforts for those modes. The Pima Association of Governments, which manages the RTA, is conducting its annual regional bicycle and pedestrian count to gather data on how those … Read more »
Broadway widening project update – October 2021
The road construction on East Broadway Boulevard between Euclid Avenue and Country Club Road will improve functionality and contribute to revitalizing the gateway between downtown and the historic Sunshine Mile with more multimodal amenities, better drainage and increased safety. The roadway project was one of 35 regional corridor projects included … Read more »
News Release: Fitch upgrades RTA bond ratings
Fitch Ratings, a U.S. credit rating agency, announced on Sept. 30 that it has upgraded the Regional Transportation Authority’s outstanding excise tax revenue bonds of $128.8 million to AA+ from AA, and the rating outlook is stable. The RTA, which is the fiscal manager of a 20-year regional transportation plan … Read more »
RTA sees ‘unprecedented’ tax collections during pandemic year
The Regional Transportation Authority’s 20-year transportation plan is partially funded by a transaction privilege tax, or sales tax, so when the pandemic hit and businesses shuttered, low revenue was almost a given. That is, until businesses started to reopen and tax collections began to climb in surprising ways. “We had … Read more »
RTA status report – September 2021
RTA Project Status – Through July 31 Projects in design 57 Under construction/implementation 50 Total number completed 899 RTA Financial Status – Through July 31 Funds expended to date $1.4B The current RTA status report shows 899 projects have been completed. Of those, 17 major roadway corridor construction projects have … Read more »
RTA funding: a primer
The primary funding source for Regional Transportation Authority plan projects is from the RTA’s voter-approved half-cent (excise) sales tax. The RTA tax is levied on taxable goods and services throughout Pima County to pay for the projects in the 20-year regional transportation plan. Both the plan and tax were approved … Read more »
Houghton Road project update – September 2021
The 13-mile Houghton Road widening project is divided into several segments between East Tanque Verde Road and Interstate 10. The project underway now will widen South Houghton Road to six lanes from East Mary Ann Cleveland Way to East Valencia Road, with multi-use improvements throughout the two-mile project. The City … Read more »
News Release: Seeking applications for Citizens Advisory Committee members to draft RTA plan
The Regional Transportation Authority is now accepting applications to fill vacancies on its Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC). The committee is designated by the RTA Board to draft the next regional transportation plan for public input. The RTA currently manages its 20-year regional transportation plan, which Pima County voters approved in … Read more »