Behind the scenes: commissioning artists for roadway public art

Public art enhances roadway projects and provides context about the culture and history of the region. The Regional Transportation Authority requires that all major road improvement projects spend 1% of the construction cost on art, in line with similar policies many jurisdictions in the region have approved. The path from a budget requirement to roadside … Read more

Complex Ruthrauff/I-10 project is complete

The Arizona Department of Transportation has completed the reconstruction of the Ruthrauff Road and El Camino del Cerro intersection with Interstate 10, including widening of interstate lanes and adding a new railroad underpass to separate vehicles and trains. “All the ramps are open, all the traffic control is gone,” said Rod Lane, the district engineer … Read more

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 situated along roadway corridor projects, … 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 evaluated.  After evaluation, access or … 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 non-motorized users use our transportation … 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 in the 2006 voter-approved Regional … 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 been completed, and 11 additional … 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 by Pima County voters in … Read more