Tucson Opinion: RTA Plan Must Meet the Needs of Each Jurisdiction | Local editorials and opinion



Brooks Keenan

From Brooks Keenan Special for the Arizona Daily Star

The following is the author’s opinion and analysis:

Over the 25 year period from 1980 to 2005, the Phoenix to Tucson corridor was the second fastest growing population area in the United States

Population growth exceeded road capacity, and the Pima Association of Governments (PAG) estimated the cost of bringing capacity to federal minimum standards would exceed $ 4 billion.

In 2006, the eight PAG territories joined forces to hold a public vote to create the PAG Regional Transportation Authority, which would collect half a cent sales tax over 20 years to raise $ 2 billion to meet the need To cover road capacities.

A lot has happened in the 15 years since 2006. RTA funding has enabled major road improvements and has provided significant support for bus and modern tram transport, as well as pedestrian, bicycle and safety improvements.

The Great Recession of 2007-2009 significantly reduced RTA’s sales tax revenue, creating a funding gap. Years of limited road maintenance funds for the construction of new roads contributed to the major PAG areas, Pima County and the city of Tucson, facing a degraded pavement crisis.

Tucson City Road Maintenance Bonds of $ 100 million were approved by the city’s electorate in 2012. Pima County’s $ 200 million road bond proposals in 2015 and $ 430 million in 2018 were not approved by the county voters.

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