RTA annual report highlights $112 million in 2024 spending
The RTA's 2024 annual report highlights extensive transportation projects and future plans as Pima County voters prepare to decide on a $2.46 billion roadway upgrade program.
Pima county voters will decide in November the fate of a $2.46 billion roadway upgrade program, a continuation of the more than $1.6 billion in projects that have been funded over the past two decades.
The Regional Transportation Authority plan is a 20-year transportation plan for the county approved by voters in 2006. It’s funded by a half-cent sales tax and aims to improve safety, reduce congestion, improve regional mobility, expand transportation options and more.
Officials released the plan’s annual report last month, which showed nearly $112 million in spending for the 2023-24 fiscal year. The current plan expires in June 2026.
The RTA board finaled an RTA Next draft plan and is conducting public outreach this spring, before it finalizes the plan that voters will decide in November.
Tucson Spotlight reviewed the annual report for 2024 RTA spending. Here are some key takeaways:
How much revenue did the RTA generate?
The total revenue for the 2023-24 fiscal year was $148.83 million, with $123.59 million coming from the half-cent sales tax.
Grants made up about $1.8 million in RTA revenue, along with $12.3 million in returns on bond investments.
How much did it spend?
More than $1.6 billion has been spent since 2006 on 1,000 roadway projects in the region that the report says have “enhanced the region's roadway corridors, transit services, traffic signal technology, pedestrian and bicycle facilities and wildlife linkages.”
Total spending on all projects during the 2023-24 fiscal year was $111.76 million, with $14.8 million going towards roadway improvements.
Another $846,000 was spent on environmental and economic improvements, with $586,000 in improvements on bikeways, sidewalks, and greenways.
Transit improvements totaled 37.8 million and administration expenses were $1.8 million.
What’s the broader context?
The report said that the RTA’s investment “not only leveraged at least $2 billion in public and private sector investments, it created thousands of short term transportation jobs along the way for local workers and thousands of permanent jobs as well.”
“Although that RTA revenue is less than initially anticipated due to the 2008 recession and other economic factors, including slower population growth impacting tax revenue, the RTA will continue to utilize its resources along with federal and state funding allocated to the region through Jun 2029 to complete projects from the 2006 plan,” the report said.
What work has been done?
Between 2007 and 2024, the RTA has funded the creation of:
- 370 miles of bike lanes
- 202 intersection improvements
- 180 bus pullouts
- 183 miles of sidewalks
- 19 completed road corridors and 11 partially completed
In addition, the project extended 21 bus routes to include weekday service and addressed nine routes struggling with frequency and overcrowding issues.
What’s on the schedule for 2025?
The largest project to be undertaken in 2025 is a downtown link on State Route 210 between Broadway Boulevard and the Interstate 10 frontage road that will allow for continuous traffic and let drivers bypass downtown Tucson on their way to the freeway. It’s expected to be completed this summer.
The work to expand Grant Road from four to six lanes with an indirect left turn being added at Alvernon, one of the most congested intersections in the region, according to the report.
The project also aims to address flooding issues along Grant Road.
The widening project on Valencia Road road between Kolb and Houghton that started in November will continue, extending the six-lane road through Rita Ranch and connecting it to Houghton. The improvements also include bike lanes, street lighting, sidewalks and upgraded signals.
Silverbell Road will also be widened from two to four divided lanes between Goret Road and El Camino del Cerro, with the addition of bicycle and pedestrian facilities.
Will any existing projects be included in the RTA Next plan?
Four projects will be extended into the Next Draft Plan, including the widening of Silverbell from El Camino del Cerro to Ina Road; First Avenue from Orange Grove to Ina;, 22nd Street from I-10 to Kino Boulevard; and Houghton Road from Broadway Boulevard to Tanque Verde Road.
The full report and RTA Next Draft plan can be viewed on the RTA website.
Colton Allder is a journalism major at the University of Arizona and Tucson Spotlight intern. Contact him at callder1995@arizona.edu.
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