You’ve probably heard of the Regional Transportation Authority. You may even know what we do – namely, help our member jurisdictions improve the regional transportation infrastructure with regional funding from the RTA’s countywide sales tax. But have you taken the time to really understand, and see, the work we fund? An easy way to do … Read more
The calendar year is nearly over, and it has been a busy one for the Regional Transportation Authority and its member jurisdictions. Over the past 13 months, three major projects have been completed including two road widening projects and an improvement to an I-10 interchange. The most recent project to be completed is the widening … Read more
The Regional Transportation Authority is adding transportation improvements throughout the metro area, including new or improved pedestrian crossing facilities. Approximately $80 million was budgeted for a mix of pedestrian improvements in the 20-year RTA plan, which was approved by Pima County voters in 2006. To date, 78 signalized pedestrian crossing projects out of 80 promised … Read more
A visual milestone on Tucson’s Downtown Links project, which is one of 35 roadway corridor projects in the voter-approved Regional Transportation Authority plan, was completed last week when crews installed a new pedestrian overpass at the intersection of the railroad tracks and the Stone Avenue traffic underpass. The Downtown Links project is providing a new … Read more
It’s Stop on Red Week to call attention to the risks of red light running. We all know that it takes vigilance and care to ensure the safety of everyone traveling around us, but it’s always a good time to refresh our presence of mind about transportation safety. The Regional Transportation Authority has made great … Read more
Southern Arizonans rejoice over monsoon rains, until we approach a flooded roadway or intersection on our way home from the store or work and wonder if we have enough clearance to cross. We all know we must avoid dip crossings and not enter an obviously flooded roadway, but we’ve also all driven streets in the … Read more
From the outset, the Regional Transportation Authority plan set aside funding for both detailed roadway project improvements as defined on the ballot and other projects that fit into a more broadly defined category of spending, such as ‘safety’. When it drafted the current plan, the 2005 RTA Citizens Advisory Committee recognized the need to have … Read more
The Regional Transportation Authority Plan includes $180 million dedicated to safety improvements throughout the region. But the true investment in safety for our community over the course of the 20-year plan is far more than that, as every major roadway corridor project incorporates safety improvements. Some of the safety projects and goals include: Bus pullouts … Read more
This year, cameras on the State Route 77 wildlife crossings north of Tucson have observed two milestones for the first time in the five-year duration of the overpass and underpass structures: a white-tailed deer crossing the overpass in January and a first crossing of either structure by a mountain lion in June. Those were notable, … Read more
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 water through designated channels, so … Read more