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

Houghton Road project update – September 2021

The 13-mile Houghton Road widening project is divided into several segments between East Tanque Verde Road and Interstate 10. The project underway now will widen South Houghton Road to six lanes from East Mary Ann Cleveland Way to East Valencia Road, with multi-use improvements throughout the two-mile project. The City of Tucson awarded Borderland Construction … Read more

Downtown Links project update – August 2021

Downtown Links is one of 35 roadway corridor projects funded in the Regional Transportation Authority’s 20-year regional transportation plan approved by voters in 2006. The project is managed by the City of Tucson and involves building a new road to extend Barraza-Aviation Parkway from its current terminus, at Broadway east of downtown, to connect with … Read more

Apply now! Citizens’ committee seeks members

Pima Association of Governments (PAG) and the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) seek applicants for a Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) to provide public input for the development of the next RTA regional transportation plan. The RTA’s transportation planning efforts aim to identify priority regional transportation needs for the long term to benefit the region’s mobility, livability … Read more

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 projects. The term “eligible” is … 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 with the regular service area … 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 2014, even more new transportation … 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 significantly curtailed normal activities. Hiring … Read more