What can the RTA sales tax pay for?
The Regional Transportation Authority’s 20-year plan is a map for improving roads, transit and mobility for economic vitality in the Tucson region. It has raised hundreds of millions of dollars through a half-cent excise (sales) tax, and the money is carefully managed to ensure it’s only spent on eligible transportation … Read more »
Sun Shuttle serves thousands of people each month
Coming out of a year of unprecedented disruption due to the pandemic, Sun Shuttle is experiencing an increase in passengers, though it’s still not quite up to pre-pandemic rider numbers. What is Sun Shuttle? Sun Shuttle was created to connect residents in some of the outlying segments of the region … Read more »
Happy anniversary! Sun Link marks 7 years of service
Seven years ago, Tucson’s Sun Link streetcar started rolling on its fixed tracks through the University of Arizona campus, the West University neighborhood, North Fourth Avenue, Downtown and the Mercado District near the foot of Sentinel Peak, offering the first new transit option in Tucson in many years. Since July … Read more »
Transit drivers wanted – hiring fair July 24
Several transit agencies across the Tucson metro area are hosting a hiring fair Saturday, searching for drivers to operate small and large vehicles to serve residents throughout Pima County. A driver shortage plagued transit systems throughout the area before the pandemic. It was exacerbated when the virus that causes COVID-19 … Read more »
Behind-the-scenes: road projects before construction begins
Road construction – a roadway improvement or expansion – is a sign of changing times, and it’s impossible to miss an orange cone zone when you’re driving through one. But what does it take to get to the shovel-ready construction phase of a roadway corridor project in the 2006 voter-approved … Read more »
RTA projects help prevent future flooding
Did you know every Regional Transportation Authority roadway corridor project has drainage improvements included? Drainage improvements help ensure roadway safety by reducing flooded streets or fast-running washes overflowing onto roads. This is particularly obvious during the monsoon. Another impact of drainage improvements is to help reduce stormwater pollution by funneling … Read more »
Road work ahead: upcoming RTA projects
The Regional Transportation Authority’s partner jurisdictions are working hard to construct roadway improvements throughout the Tucson metro area, including major widening projects on Houghton Road; Ruthrauff Road and Interstate-10, and East Broadway Boulevard, plus construction of the new Downtown Links roadway to connect Barraza-Aviation Parkway with Interstate 10 through the … Read more »
We all rise as one
As the next RTA plan has been a frequent topic of conversation in the media, RTA Board Chair and South Tucson Mayor Bob Teso highlights the multi-step planning process underway for a new regional transportation plan. This in-depth planning process allows the public to have a say in prioritizing regional … Read more »
Celebrating the RTA’s 15th anniversary
The Regional Transportation Authority is celebrating 15 years of delivering on the promises it made to voters who approved the RTA’s 20-year regional transportation plan in 2006. In addition to delivering specific roadway corridor projects voters saw on the ballot, the RTA has completed hundreds of bicycle and pedestrian safety improvements, expanded … Read more »
RTA status report – June 2021
RTA Project Status – Through May 31 Projects in design 55 Under Construction/Implementation 46 Total Number Completed 895 RTA Financial Status – Through May 31 Collections $1.1B Funds Expended $1.3B Fund Balance $156M The RTA status report for June 2021 shows 895 projects have been completed. Of those, 17 major … Read more »