Stakeholders share their support for RTA Next plan development

Several organizations in the Tucson metropolitan area have submitted their resolutions of support to the Regional Transportation Authority for the development of the next RTA regional transportation plan.

A citizens’ advisory committee is in the process of developing a draft 20-year plan to recommend to the RTA Board by July 1. Upon RTA Board review, possible refinement and/or approval of an initial draft plan, the RTA will conduct public outreach across the region to seek public feedback.

Feedback will be presented to the RTA Board for further consideration for revisions before final board approval of the plan. Once the plan is approved by the RTA Board, it will set an election date for voter consideration of the new 20-year plan.

The current 2006 voter-approved RTA plan and sales tax are effective through June 2026, and the RTA is seeking plan renewal and a tax extension prior to that time. The RTA is the largest financial contributor toward regional transportation improvements with an annual average investment of $100 million.

Please review the following resolution excerpts below, and you may view the full resolutions online at the links provided:

Arizona Transportation Builders Association: “As an organization financially vested in the region, we support development of a new RTA plan to enhance the prosperity of all communities in our region, including the region’s transportation and business stakeholders.”

Tucson Metro Chamber: “The Chamber believes all governing bodies must continue to respect the will of the voters and honor voter promises made in the past or in the future, and a successful regional transportation plan can only be achieved through sincere unity on common ground and consensus of desired outcomes.”

Associated General Contractors of America Arizona Chapter: “The Board of Directors of the Arizona Chapter of the Associated General Contractors of America, Inc. (AZAGC) unanimously support the RTA of Pima County’s proposal to seek voter approval of a new 20-year regional transportation plan that will … build on the transparent and accountable governance of the RTA through long-established regional collaboration.

Southern Arizona Home Builders Association: “Safe and efficient surface mobility infrastructure is critical to both economic development and quality of life in our region. Therefore, it is essential that our region has a plan in place to bolster progress made so far and assure and that the infrastructure necessary to accommodate future needs can [be] completed in a timely and efficient manner.”