RTA Next 2026
January 16, 2026The current RTA plan will expire at the end of June 2026. The Regional Transportation Authority, a state-established taxing district within Pima County, finalized a new 20-year regional transportation plan (RTA Next) to improve the transportation network in the greater Tucson region and enhance our quality of life. The RTA Next plan will be on the ballot March 10, 2026, when voters in Pima County will have the say on the $2.67 billion regional transportation plan for the next 20 years. Since 2004 the RTA collects a half-cent sales tax to fund its current 20-year plan approved by voters in 2006. Voters need to approve the half-cent sales tax to continue funding for another 20 years since the current sales tax will expire in March 31, 2026.
What’s in the RTA Next Plan that impacts transportation?
The new $2.67 billion plan will include:
- $1.2 billion (+$741M non-RTA funding) for roadway (multimodal) corridors
- 31 corridor improvement projects, roadway lane enhancements, bus pullouts, bike lanes, pedestrian facilities.
- $257 million (+237M non-RTA funding) for roadway project modification/completions
- $254.6 million for safety, ADA and active transportation
Modernization of traffic signals, technology upgrades, bikeways, sidewalks and greenways.
- $177.6 million for pavement upgrades
- $50 million for environmental
Wildlife linkages to reduce vehicle-animal collisions in highly traveled wildlife areas.
- $726 million (+228M non-RTA funding) for transit expansion
- Expanded services to weekend and evening bus service, increased bus frequency, paratransit/dial-a-ride, neighborhood shuttles to main bus systems, express service to employment centers. High capacity transit development, streetcar operations, safety and security of the regional transit system.
- Enhances the overall safety and security of the transportation system with infrastructure for passengers and drivers.
- It will bring $3.7 billion in economic benefits and create 88,000 new jobs between 2025 and 2045.
Maintain over $30 million in annual RTA contribution to support expanded evening and weekend transit services for Sun Tran, Sun Link, Sun Express, Sun Van and Sun Shuttle.
- Reduce congestion and improve air quality through the use of alternative transportation modes and overall efficiencies.
Public Input Meetings
The RTA invites you to an upcoming Q&A session to learn more about the proposed $2.67 billion regional transportation plan and tax that will be on the ballot March 10, 2026. Meetings listed below:
- Wednesday, January 21 at 5 p.m. | El Rio Neighborhood Center – 1390 W. Speedway Blvd.
- Thursday, January 22 at 5:30 p.m. | Ward 3 Office – 1510 E. Grant Rd.
- Tuesday, January 27 at 5:30 p.m. | Tucson Association of Realtors – 2445 N. Tucson Blvd.
- Tuesday, February 3 at 12 p.m. | Virtual Session: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_cJLXReFzRJq8yVI2EHA50g#/registration
- Tuesday, February 3 at 5 p.m. | Virtual Session: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_JPWksYh7QD662zlfIAd_Rw#/registration
- Monday, February 9 at 5:30 p.m. | Ward 2 Office: 7820 E. Broadway Blvd.