RTA Plan
The Regional Transportation Authority is the fiscal manager of a 20-year regional transportation plan. Pima County voters approved the $2.1 billion plan, funded through a half-cent excise (sales) tax, in 2006.
The plan set out to reduce the growing congestion at that time, improve safety and regional mobility, and expand transportation mode choices to meet regional transportation demands.
Plan improvements cover:
- roadway corridors
- safety
- transit
- environmental and economic vitality
Project areas include:
- new and widened roadway corridors
- highway interchanges
- new and innovative intersections
- signalized pedestrian crossings
- bike lanes and bike paths
- bus pullouts
- advanced signal technology
- wildlife linkages
- drainage improvements
- new landscaping and public art
Through March 10, 2025, nearly 1,050 projects and services have been delivered. The current plan and sales tax are in effect through June 2026. Some of the remaining projects in the plan or remaining project phases will be completed after 2026 with remaining available funds as approved by the RTA Board.
The RTA taxing district within Pima County boundaries was established by the Arizona Legislature in 2004. The RTA is managed by Pima Association of Governments, the region’s metropolitan planning organization and council of governments. The PAG Regional Council and RTA Board are comprised of the chief elected members of the governing bodies from all local and county governments, and tribal nations and the Governor-appointed Pima County representative on the Arizona State Transportation Board.