Regional planning includes RTA projects

Pima Association of Governments is seeking public input on its draft Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) for fiscal years 2022-2026, and the draft includes projects from the Regional Transportation Authority plan.

The PAG document covers the final five years of the voter-approved RTA plan through June 2026. The RTA Board has committed to fund all RTA projects to the ballot amount, either with RTA funding or other regional funds as needed.

PAG, which manages the RTA through a memorandum of understanding, updates the TIP every two years. As the region’s federally designated metropolitan planning organization, PAG is required to prepare a five-year financial document that aligns with its long-range transportation plan. The TIP identifies how federal, state, regional and local transportation dollars will be invested in the region’s transportation infrastructure.

Considered a budget document, the TIP is developed through a series of committee meetings, 14 to date, where PAG-member jurisdictions in the Tucson metro area participate in preparing the draft. All meetings are open to the public.

“I’ve been very impressed by the work that’s gone into it,” Terry Rozema, Marana’s town manager, reported at the PAG Management Committee meeting on April 7.

PAG is hosting two virtual open houses to share details of the transportation improvement program with the public. To learn more about the TIP, view the PDF online or register to attend one of PAG’s virtual open houses April 20 and 21 to hear details about the plan.

A 30-day public comment period also is set to begin April 19 through May 18. Public comments will be reviewed by the Regional Council in late May to consider before final adoption of the program.

Public comments can be submitted via email at publiccomments@PAGregion.com or via an online comment form.