RTA Plan
The Regional Transportation Authority is the fiscal manager of a 20-year regional transportation plan that includes improvements in four areas: roadway corridors, safety, transit, environmental and economic vitality. Nearly 930 individual projects and services have been delivered as of June 30, 2021. The goals of the 2006, $2.1 billion voter-approved plan were to reduce growing congestion at that time, improve safety and regional mobility, and expand transportation mode choices to meet regional transportation demands. Projects include new and widened roadway corridors, new and innovative intersections, signalized pedestrian crossings, bike lanes and bike paths, bus pullouts, advanced signal technology, new highway interchanges, wildlife linkages, drainage improvements, new landscaping and public art. The RTA plan delivery schedule continues through June 2026. When Pima County voters approved the plan, they also approved a half-cent excise (sales) tax from the RTA’s taxing district, which was established by the Arizona State Legislature. The taxing district encompasses all of Pima County. The RTA tax offers a flexible funding source that can be directed to regional transportation priorities based on extensive public input and, ultimately, voter approval. RTA member jurisdictions design and build the majority of the RTA projects upon RTA Board-approved intergovernmental agreements that outline the project scope in compliance with the voter-approved RTA plan. Jurisdictions receive funding reimbursements from the RTA for approved project costs. 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 have identical membership yet different officers serve each body.