Attend an upcoming RTA Next Q&A session to learn about proposed plan

Have you heard about the Regional Transportation Authority’s proposed $2.67 billion regional transportation plan that will be on the Pima County ballot in March?

Whether you respond yes or no, you can attend an upcoming question and answer session to learn more about the 20-year plan that will improve roadway corridors, transit services, bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure and a whole lot more.

The Q&A sessions will be in-person and virtual with the next virtual sessions coming up on Jan. 7, from noon to 1 p.m. and at 5 to 6 p.m. Sign up for either session at rtanext.com/events. Other in-person events in January are listed on the website, where you can find the RTA Next project list, funding details, fact sheets, maps, charts and other information about proposed plan.

5 things to know about RTA Next transportation plan

Roadway, transit, bicycle, pedestrian, environmental and other transportation improvements for you and your family or business are key parts of the Regional Transportation Authority’s proposed $2.67 billion plan that Pima County voters will consider in March 2026.

RTA Next, which includes funding for the 20-year plan, will seamlessly continue regional transportation improvements that started with approval of the RTA’s first plan in 2006.

Here’s what you need to know about the RTA Next plan and funding source.

1) No tax increase

If Pima County voters approve both the RTA Next plan and tax, you will not see a change in the RTA tax rate. The half-cent sales tax for RTA Next will replace the current half-cent sales tax, resulting in zero tax increase.

2) RTA provides nearly 2/3 of regional transportation funding

The region receives a significant amount of funding annually from RTA revenues to fund transportation priorities. The RTA sales tax brings in about $125 million annually compared to $54 million annually from federal and state resources combined. RTA funds help stretch local funds and can be used to obtain federal grants as matching funds. If the RTA Next plan and tax are not approved, the $125 million in annual funding will cease after June 30, 2026.

3) Over $1 billion in funds to go toward roadway, pavement repair improvements

More than half of the funding in the RTA Next plan will apply to roadway improvements. This includes adding vehicle lanes, bus pullouts, bicycle and sidewalk infrastructure, as well as improving intersections and drainage on 31 new roadway improvement projects. In addition to the $1.4 billion for overall roadway improvements, the plan includes $177 million for pavement repairs on major roads that need it most.

4) Essential RTA-funded transit to continue

Tens of thousands of people rely on transit services every day. RTA Next will continue funding expanded services, such as evening and weekend service hours for Sun Tran, Sun Shuttle neighborhood circulators connecting riders to Sun Tran stops, Sun Shuttle dial-a-ride/door-to-door paratransit, and Sun Express bus service to regional employment centers. Additional service expansions under RTA Next would include development of high-capacity transit services and improved safety and security of the regional system. Currently, no other funding source has been identified to replace this $30 million annual RTA investment for transit alone.

5) 48,000 additional jobs and $3.7 billion in economic benefits over 20+ years

Investments in the transportation network don’t just make it easier to move around. New and improved roadways, bike lanes, sidewalks, and transit services spur economic growth along improved transportation corridors and attract private-sector investments in housing, retail, and other commercial enterprises to enhance your quality of life. In addition, the investments help fuel short-term construction jobs. The collective economic impacts mean taxpayers receive more revenue from the economic gains than they pay in the half-cent sales tax proposal. New funds also enter the tax base to help keep property taxes down.

The proposed plan provides something for everyone, whether it’s added network reliability, efficiency and safety or a needed boost to the regional economy at no change in our tax rate, if the plan and tax are approved next March to continue regional transportation improvements for another 20 years.

Learn more at RTANext.com.