Delivering safety, congestion relief and cross-town mobility Tucson streetcar service starting summer 2014 1 E. Broadway Blvd., Ste. 401 • Tucson AZ 85701 (520) 792-1093 [tel] • (520) 620-6981 [fax] www.RTAmobility.com MAY 2014 FY 2012-13 RTA FINANCIAL STATEMENT YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2013 (000s) REVENUES Sales Tax $ 71,164 Program $ 5,966 Grants $ 811 Bond/Investment $ 327 Total Revenues Projects at a glance RTA PROJECTS COMPLETED THROUGH FY 2012-13 PLAN ELEMENT $ 78,268 EXPENDITURES ROADWAY IMPROVEMENTS Total Roadway $ 55,116 SAFETY Intersection $ 2,161 Transit Corridor Bus Pullouts $ 1,516 Elderly & Pedestrian $ 1,071 At-grade Rail/Bridge Deficiencies SAFETY Signal Technology Intersection 103 Total Safety Elderly & Pedestrian 95 Bus Pullouts 87 ENVIRONMENTAL & ECONOMIC VITALITY Railroad Bridge 7 $ 256 $ 494 $ 5,498 $ 1,610 ROADWAY Total Roadway Signal Technology Total Safety 13 58 350 Greenways, Bikeways, Pathways & Sidewalks Transportation-related ENVIRONMENTAL Critical Wildlife Links $ 321 & ECONOMIC VITALITY Small Business Assistance $ 767 Greenways, Bikeways, Pathways & Sidewalks 82 Total Environmental Transportation-related & Economic Vitality $ 2,698 Critical Wildlife Linkages 7 TRANSIT Total Environmental & Economic Vitality 89 Sun Tran Services Expansion $ 11,613 TRANSIT Special Needs $ 5,772 Weekday Evening 21* New Express Buses $ 1,328 Weekday Service 23 Neighborhood Circulator $ 2,937 Bus Frequency & Streetcar $ 9,544 Overcrowding Relief 8** Park-and-Rides $ 261 Park-and-Ride Transit Centers 6*** Neighborhood Circulator 12 Total Transit $ 31,455 Streetcar 0 Administration Expenses* $ 13,666 Express Service 7 Total Expenditures $ 108,433 Special Needs 3 Surplus/(Deficit)** ($ 30,165) Maintenance Storage Facility 1 Year-end Fund Balance $ 123,752 Total Transit 81 Grand Total 533 * Includes bond principal, interest and administration costs ** Covered by surplus fund balance * 21 routes received weekday evening service, fully implementing this service expansion ** 7 routes received overcrowding relief; construction of a bus maintenance facility was completed in October 2009 *** Includes completed temporary lots Audited financial information. We Deliver Eight years into project delivery, the Regional Transportation Authority has completed more than 560 of the multi-modal projects (through March 2014) spelled out in the 20-year RTA plan. One of the plan’s signature projects, the Tucson streetcar, is set to start passenger service in summer 2014. This project alone has led to more than $800 million in public and private sector development to date along the 3.9-mile route. The “Made in America” streetcar will connect with public transit services, such as Sun Tran and Cat Tran. The allelectric vehicle will hold up to 148 passengers and provide room for people to stand on board with bicycles. Twentythree streetcar stops are located along the route, providing access to major destinations in downtown Tucson and on 4th Avenue, Main Gate Square, the Mercado District and the University of Arizona campus. A unique feature of the streetcar system is the ability to offer fare payments that are seamless with other mass transit services, including Sun Tran and Sun Express. The RTA, which has received more than $500 million in revenue since July 1, 2006, contracted with the University of Arizona, Eller College of Management’s Economic and Business Research Center, to prepare a new revenue forecast through 2026. The new forecast predicts revenues of $1.736 billion, compared to original UA forecasts of $2.1 billion when the plan was developed. The RTA will use regional funds as needed to complete projects in the RTA plan. In order to optimize cash flow, the RTA is planning for a second round of bond funding in early summer 2014 to take advantage of competitive market rates and construction costs to maintain a timely construction schedule to meet ballot requirements. Bond financing was factored into the RTA plan as it was developed. Current maps of projects completed across the region are available at www.RTAmobility.com under the RTA Plan tab. Like us at: www.facebook.com/RTAPimaCounty RTA Project Highlights* 15 126 46 90 58 112 187 St. Mary’s Rd. and Main St. roadway projects intersection improvements pedestrian crossings bus pullouts signalization improvements miles of sidewalks miles of bikeways * Numbers based on segments of projects. RTA Project List I. Roadway Improvement Element in 2006 dollars (constant) RTA Project Budgets★ (000s) Committed Non-RTA Revenues✦ (000s) 1 Tangerine Rd., I-10 to La Cañada Dr.: Widen to 4-lane divided desert parkway, bike lanes, drainage and turn lanes $ 45,325 $ 28,890 2 Camino de Mañana**, Tangerine Rd. to Linda Vista Blvd.: New 2- and 4-lane roadway, bike lanes and drainage $ 6,185 $ 9,500 3 Twin Peaks Rd., Silverbell Rd. to I-10 (including I-10 traffic interchange): Bridge over Santa Cruz River, new 4-lane roadway connecting to I-10 $ 30,752 $ 45,670 4 La Cholla Blvd., Tangerine Rd. to Magee Rd.: Widen to a 4-lane desert parkway, bridge over Cañada del Oro wash, bike lanes and drainage $ 42,233 $ 6,100 5 Silverbell Rd., Ina Rd. to Grant Rd.: Widen to 3- and 4-lane divided desert parkway, drainage improvements and bike lanes $ 42,653 $ 14,400 6 Railroad Overpass at Ina Rd. east of I-10: Roadway and railroad separation, eliminates at-grade rail crossing $ 34,218 $ 20,165 7 Magee Rd./Cortaro Farms Rd., La Cañada Dr. to Thornydale Rd.: 4-lane divided arterial, eliminates jog at La Cholla Blvd., bike lanes and sidewalks $ 29,570 $ 3,700 8 Sunset Rd., Silverbell Rd. to River Rd.: New 3-lane arterial, bridge over Santa Cruz River and bike lanes $ 12,764 $ 10,000 9 Ruthrauff Rd. at I-10 and UPRR Overpass: Roadway and railroad separation, eliminates at-grade rail crossing $ 59,364 $ 10 La Cholla Blvd., River Rd. to Ruthrauff Rd.: Widen to 6-lane desert parkway, new bridge at Rillito River, bike lanes and sidewalks $ 14,760 $ 11 La Cañada Dr., Calle Concordia to River Rd.: Widen to 4-lane arterial roadway, equestrian trail, drainage and multi-use lanes $ 27,665 $ 14,066 12 Magee Rd., Oracle Rd. to La Cañada Drive: Widen to 4-lane arterial roadway, bike lanes and sidewalks $ 5,850 $ 3,750 13 1st. Ave., Orange Grove Rd. to Ina Rd.: Widen to 4-lane arterial roadway, bike lanes and sidewalks $ 6,556 $ 700 14 1st. Ave., River Rd. to Grant Rd.: Widen to 6-lane roadway, bike lanes and sidewalks $ 71,398 $ 3,000 15 UPRR Underpass at Grant Rd.: Expand railroad underpass east of I-10 to accommodate 6 lanes $ 37,382 $ 319 16 Downtown Links/I-10 to Broadway Blvd.: New 4-lane urban linkage, enhanced multi-modal features, drainage and noise mitigation $ 76,134 $ 8,540 17 Broadway Blvd., Euclid Ave. to Country Club Rd.: Widen roadway to 6-lane arterial, plus 2 dedicated bus lanes, bike lanes and sidewalks $ 42,125 $ 29,222 18 Grant Rd., Oracle Rd. to Swan Rd.: Widen to 6-lane arterial, streetscaping, bike lanes and sidewalks $ 160,850 $ 6,000 19 22nd. St., I-10 to Tucson Blvd./Barraza-Aviation Pkwy.: Widen to 6 lanes, 6-lane bridge over railroad tracks, bicycle lanes and sidewalks $ 104,952 $ 3,000 20 Barraza/Aviation Pkwy., Palo Verde Blvd. to I-10: Advanced right-of-way funding for future connection of Parkway with I-10 $ 19,600 $ 21 Valencia Rd., Ajo Way to Mark Rd.: Widen to 4-lane desert parkway, bike lanes and sidewalks $ 15,057 $ 23,100 22 Irvington Rd., Santa Cruz River east of I-19: Improve intersections, provide access management, bike lanes and sidewalks $ 9,800 $ 23 Valencia Rd., I-19 to Alvernon Way: Access management improvements, safety improvements and intersections improvements $ 9,800 $ 24 Valencia Rd., Alvernon Way to Kolb Rd: Widen to 6-lane desert parkway, bike lanes and sidewalks $ 43,298 $ 3,000 25 Valencia Rd., Kolb Rd. to Houghton Rd.: Widen to 6-lane desert parkway, bike lanes and sidewalks $ 25,882 $ 9,000 26 Kolb Rd., Connection to Sabino Canyon Rd.: New 4-lane roadway connecting Sabino Canyon Rd. with Kolb Rd., bike lanes and sidewalks $ 9,115 $ - Construction Start Period◆ 2nd, 3rd & 4th Periods 1st Period 1st Period 2nd & 4th Periods 2nd & 4th Periods 2nd Period 1st Period 3rd Period 3rd Period 1st Period 1st Period 2nd Period 4th Period 3rd Period 3rd Period 2nd & 3rd Periods 2nd Period 2nd, 3rd & 4th Periods 2nd & 3rd Periods Design & Right-of-way only 2nd Period 4th Period 4th Period 2nd Period 3rd Period 1st Period RTA Project List in 2006 dollars (constant) I. Roadway Improvement Element RTA Project Budgets★ (000s) Committed Non-RTA Revenues✦ (000s) 27 Tanque Verde Rd., Catalina Hwy. to Houghton Rd.: Widen to 4-lane roadway, bike lanes and sidewalks $ 12,833 $ 28 Speedway Blvd., Camino Seco to Houghton Rd.: Widen to 4-lane arterial, bike lanes and sidewalks $ 14,127 $ 3,000 29 Broadway Blvd., Camino Seco to Houghton Rd.: Widen to 4-lane arterial, bike lanes and sidewalks $ 6,571 $ 3,000 30 22nd. St., Camino Seco to Houghton Rd.: Widen to 4-lane arterial, bicycle lanes and sidewalks $ 6,066 $ 3,000 31 Harrison Rd., Golf Links Rd. to Irvington Rd.: Bridge over Pantano Wash, drainage improvements $ 6,158 $ 32 Houghton Rd., I-10 to Tanque Verde Rd.: Widen to 4- and 6-lane desert parkway, new bridges, bike lanes and sidewalks $ 95,342 $ 65,300 33 Wilmot Rd., North of Sahuarita Rd.: New 2-lane roadway connecting Sahuarita Rd. with existing paved facility (6 miles north) $ 9,800 $ 34 Sahuarita Rd., I-19 to Country Club Rd.: Widen to 4-lane divided arterial bilke lanes and sidewalks $ 30,785 $ 10,000 35 I-19 Frontage Rd., Canoa Ranch Rd. to Continental Rd.: New 2-lane roadway $ 3,920 $ 8,000 Subtotal II. Safety Element $1,168,889 RTA Project Budgets★ 36 37 38 39 40 $ $ $ $ $ Intersection Safety and Capacity Improvements Elderly and Pedestrian Safety Improvements Transit Corridor Bus Pullouts At-grade Railroad Safety/Bridge Deficiencies Signal Technology Upgrades to Improve Intersection Traffic Flow 100,000 20,000 30,000 15,000 15,000 $334,422 Committed Non-RTA Revenues✦ $ $ $ $ $ - Construction Start Period◆ 1st Period 1st Period 3rd Period 4th Period 4th Period 1st & 3rd Periods 2nd Period 1st Period 1st Period Construction Start Period◆ All Periods All Periods All Periods All Periods All Periods Subtotal $ 180,000 $ RTA Project Committed III. Environmental and Economic Vitality Element Budgets★ Non-RTA Revenues✦ 41 Greenways, Pathways, Bikeways and Sidewalks $ 60,000 $ 42 Transportation-related Critical Wildlife Linkages $ 48,000 $ 43 Small Business Assistance* $ 10,000 $ - Construction Start Period◆ All Periods All Periods All Periods Subtotal $ 115,000 $ RTA Project Committed IV. Transit Element Budgets★ Non-RTA Revenues✦ 44 Weekday Evening Bus Service Expansion $ 37,717 $ 45 Weekend Bus Service Expansion $ 19,169 $ 46 Bus Frequency and Area Expansion (includes Maintenance Storage Facility) $ 178,232 $ 47 Special Needs Transit for Elderly and Disabled Citizens $ 108,836 $ 48 Neighborhood Circulator Bus Systems $ 24,859 $ 49 Express Service Expansion $ 62,561 $ 50 Downtown/University High-Capacity Transit (Streetcar) $ 87,727 $ 75,000 51 Park & Ride transit centers $ 14,700 $ - Construction Start Period◆ 1st Period 1st Period 1st Period 1st Period 1st Period 1st Period 1st Period 1st Period Subtotal Grand Total $ 533,800 $1,997,689 $75,000 $ 409,422 ★ Cost reflects RTA portion of the project. Cost estimates are in 2006 constant dollars. ✦ Non-RTA revenues include development impact fees, federal funds, and regional funds that are committed for projects. ◆ The 20-year plan is divided into four periods: FY 2007 through FY 2011, FY 2012 through FY 2016, FY 2017 through FY 2021, and FY 2022 through FY 2026. Assumes revenues begin July 2006. * Provided confidential business consulting services to nearly 500 companies. Logged 32,000+ business outreach and construction ombudsman visits with 4,800+ businesses on 50 regional projects. ** Renamed Twin Peaks Road by Marana Town Council Notes: The large roadway construction projects are broken into several segments; hence, construction may start in multiple periods. The Safety Element and the Environmental and Economic Vitality Element reflect construction/expenditures in each period. The Transit Element will begin service in the first period with continuous operations through FY 2026. Construction for the streetcar begins in the first period, but will not be fully completed until the second period. Federal funds for the high-capacity streetcar are capped at $75 million. Fiscal Year: 2007 2008 FIRST PERIOD 2010 2009 . ana**: Tangerine Rd 2 Camino de Mañ 0 Silverbell Rd. to I-1 3 Twin Peaks Rd.: 2011 2012 SECOND PERIOD 2016 2015 2014 2013 Cañada Drive erine Rd.: I-10 to La 1 Tang to Linda Vista Blvd. Magee Rd. Tangerine Rd. to 4 La Cholla Blvd.: a Rd. to Grant Rd. 5 Silverbell Rd.: In of I-10 ass at Ina Rd. east rp ve O d oa ilr Ra 6 ñada Dr. ro Farms Rd.: La Ca 7 Magee Rd./Cor ta to Thornydale Rd. uff Rd. River Rd. to Ruthra 10 La Cholla Blvd: Rd. to River Rd. ñada Dr. to Oracle e: Calle Concordia 12 Magee Rd.: La Ca 11 La Cañada Driv Blvd. s: I-10 to Broadway 16 Downtown Link untry Club Rd. .: Euclid Ave. to Co 17 Broadway Blvd e Rd. to Swan Rd. 18 Grant Rd.: Oracl -Aviation Pk cson Blvd./Barraza Tu to 0 I-1 .: St nd 19 22 ay only) ign and right-of-w es (D 0 I-1 to . d. Rd e o Way to Mark R n Pkwy.: Palo Verd 21 Valencia Rd., Aj 20 Barraza/Aviatio vern 24 Valencia Rd.: Al . on Way to Kolb Rd nyon Rd. tion with Sabino Ca ec nn Co . Rd lb Ko 26 . way to Houghton Rd gh Hi a lin ta Ca .: Rd 27 Tanque Verde on Rd. ino Seco to Hought m Ca .: vd Bl ay dw 28 Spee I-10 32 Houghton Rd.: . to Tanque Verde Rd Rd. I-19 to Country Club 34 Sahuarita Rd.: Canoa Rd. .: Continental Rd. to Rd ge ta on Fr 9 -1 I 35 rth 33 Wilmot Rd., No of Sahuarita Rd. THIRD PERIOD 2017 2018 2019 2021 2020 2022 FOURTH PERIOD 2025 2024 2023 2026 Rd. Rd. to I-10 to River ll be er lv Si .: Rd et 8 Suns I-10/RR Overpass 9 Ruthrauff Rd. at . e Grove Rd. to Ina Rd 13 First Ave.: Orang Rd. to Grant Rd. 14 First Ave.: River ass at Grant Rd. 15 Railroad Underp kwy. of I-19 a Cruz River to east nt Sa .: Rd on gt in 22 Irv 9 to Alvernon Way 23 Valencia Rd.: I-1 lb 25 Valencia Rd.: Ko . Rd. to Houghton Rd hton Rd. mino Seco to Houg .: Ca 29 Broadway Blvd Rd. o Seco to Houghton in m Ca .: St nd 22 30 on Rd. Links Rd. to Irvingt lf Go .: Rd n iso rr 31 Ha d. ring perio y start any time du d. Construction ma rio pe rt sta n tio ruc * Represents const a Town Council aks Road by Maran ** Renamed Twin Pe Intersection with indirect left at Ina Rd. and Oracle Rd. 0 1 2 3 4 5 MILES RTA Projects RTA regional corridors RTA road improvements Preserve right-of-way Road/rail separations Intersection improvements (illustrative) Non-RTA Funded Road improvements Road/rail separations Roadway improvements 58% of total funds 35 road improvement projects • • • Over 200 new lane miles to expand traffic capacity and reduce congestion Includes sections of Tangerine, Grant, Houghton, Broadway, 1st Ave., Barraza/ Aviation Parkway West, La Cholla, Silverbell, Speedway, Valencia, 22nd St., Camino de Mañana, I-19 frontage, Harrison, Irvington, Wilmot, Magee, Ruthrauff, Sahuarita, Tanque Verde and Twin Peaks Features will include additional lanes, raised landscaped medians, bus pullouts, bike lanes in each direction, drainage improvements, new turn lanes, new bus shelters, and (Americans with Disabilities Act) ADAaccessible sidewalks, improved pedestrian safety crossings, and alternative connections As approved by voters. * Camino De Mañana renamed Twin Peaks Road by Marana Town Council Current status map online at RTAmobility.com. Streetcar stop at Warren Ave. and Helen St. 0 1 2 3 4 5 MILES RTA Projects Enhanced local bus routes Bus route extensions New and enhanced express routes New park-and-ride Transit improvements Modern Streetcar Route Streetcar alignment Transit circulators Current status map online at RTAmobility.com. The transit element of the RTA plan includes a high-capacity, streetcar to serve the central area of the region. Approximately 10 percent of the residents of the Tucson metropolitan area live, work or attend school within walking distance of the streetcar route and are anticipated to be the primary users of the streetcar. The streetcar system is expected to reduce the number of bus trips in the downtown area, thus reducing congestion. Transit improvements Safety improvements • • • • • • • • • • • • • 27% of total funds Expanded weekday and evening service Expanded weekend service Improved bus frequencies Expanded special needs service 4 new neighborhood bus circulators Expanded express bus service New high-capacity streetcar system from UA to downtown 6 new park-and-ride centers As approved by voters. 9% of total funds 200 intersection improvements 80 new and improved pedestrian crossings 200 new bus pullouts New and improved railroad crossings with 10 over/underpasses Signalization and technology improvements HAWK at Speedway Blvd. and 10th Ave. 0 1 2 3 4 5 MILES RTA Projects RTA bike lanes/shoulders and shared use paths Bike lanes and pathway improvements Existing bike lanes/shoulders and shared use paths Non-RTA Funded Shared use paths Current status map online at RTAmobility.com. 0 1 2 3 4 5 MILES RTA Projects RTA sidewalks Sidewalk improvements Existing sidewalks Non-RTA Funded Sidewalks Environmental and Economic Vitality 6% of total funds • 550 miles of new bike lanes and paths • 250 miles of new sidewalks • $45 million for critical wildlife linkages • $10 million for small business assistance Current status map online at RTAmobility.com. As approved by voters. Active RTA Roadway Projects PROJECT NAME PROJECT PHASE CONSTRUCTION START PERIOD 1 Tangerine Rd.: I-10 to La Cañada Dr. 2nd-4th 2 Camino de Mañana: Tangerine Rd. to Linda Vista Blvd. 1st 3 Twin Peaks Rd.: Silverbell Rd. to I-10 (includes I-10 Interchange) 1st 4 La Cholla Blvd.: Tangerine Rd. to Magee Rd. Overton Rd. to Magee Rd. 2nd, 4th 5 Silverbell Rd.: Ina Rd. to Grant Rd. 2nd-4th 6 Railroad Overpass at Ina Rd. 2nd 7 Magee Rd./Cortaro Farms Rd.: La Cañada Dr. to Thornydale Rd. 8 Sunset Rd.: Silverbell Rd. to I-10 to River Rd. 3rd 9 Ruthrauff Rd. at I-10 and UPRR Overpass 3rd 10 La Cholla Blvd.: River Rd. to Ruthrauff Rd. 1st 11 La Cañada Dr.: Calle Concordia to River Rd. Ina Rd. to Calle Concordia 1st Ina Rd. to River Rd. 12 Magee Rd.: La Cañada Dr. to Oracle Rd. 2nd 15 UPRR Underpass at Grant Rd. 3rd 16 Downtown Links: I-10 to Broadway Blvd. 8th St. Drainage 2nd & 3rd St. Mary’s Segment 6th to Broadway 17 Broadway Blvd.: Euclid Ave. to Country Club Rd. 2nd 18 Grant Rd.: Oracle Rd. to Swan Rd. Grant Rd./Oracle Rd. Intersection 2nd, 3rd, & 4th Stone Ave. to Park Ave. Palo Verde to Swan Rd. 19 22nd St.: I-10 to Tucson Blvd./Barraza-Aviation Pkwy. Kino to Tucson Blvd. 2nd & 3rd 22nd St./Kino Pkwy Overpass 21 Valencia Rd.: Ajo Way to Mark Rd. 2nd 24 Valencia Rd.: Alvernon Way to Kolb Rd. Alvernon Way to Wilmot Rd. 2nd Wilmot Rd. to Kolb Rd. 26 Kolb Rd. Extension to Sabino Canyon Rd. 1st Kolb/Tanque Verde Intersection 27 Tanque Verde Rd.: Catalina Hwy. to Houghton Rd. 1st 28 Speedway Blvd.: Camino Seco to Houghton Rd. 1st 29 Broadway Blvd.: Camino Seco to Houghton Rd. 3rd 32 Houghton Rd.: I-10 to Tanque Verde Rd. Mary Ann Cleveland Way Intersection 1st & 3rd Irvington Rd. to Valencia Rd. Broadway Blvd. Intersection to 22nd St. 33 Wilmot Rd.: North of Sahaurita Rd. 2nd 34 Sahuarita Rd.: I-19 to Country Club Rd. I-19 to La Villita Rd. 1st La Villita Rd. to Old Nogales Old Nogales Hwy. to Country Club 35 I-19 Frontage Rd.: Canoa Ranch Rd. to Continental Rd. 1st FUTURE PROJECTS: CONSTRUCTION START PERIOD 13 1st Ave.: Orange Grove Rd. to Ina Rd. 4th 14 First Ave.: River Rd. to Grant Rd. 3rd 20 Barraza/Aviation Pkwy.: Palo Verde Blvd. to I-10, Advance Planning - Right-of-Way Acquisition Ongoing 22 Irvington Rd.: Santa Cruz River east of I-19 4th 23 Valencia Rd.: I-19 to Alvernon Way 4th 25 Valencia Rd.: Kolb Rd. to Houghton Rd. 3rd 30 22nd St.: Camino Seco to Houghton Rd. 4th 31 Harrison Rd.: Golf Links Rd. to Irvington Rd. (Bridge Only) 4th Calendar Year COMPLETIONS 2013 2014 Design Completed Completed Construction Design Design 1st Construction Design Design Completed Completed Construction Design Construction Planning Completed Construction Design Planning Completed Design Design Design Construction Design Construction Construction Design Design Completed Completed Completed Planning Completed Construction Design Construction Design Completed Construction Design Construction Completed LEGEND Planning Design Construction Completed A solution to keep you moving What is the Regional Transportation Authority? The RTA, which became an entity in August 2004, is governed by a nine-member board and was created to develop a regional plan through regional cooperation. Board members include the Mayors of the cities of South Tucson and Tucson, Mayors of the towns of Marana, Oro Valley and Sahuarita, the Chair or designee of the Pima County Board of Supervisors, the Chairman or designee of the Tohono O’odham Nation and Pascua Yaqui Tribe and the Arizona State Transportation Board representative serving Pima County and appointed by the Governor of Arizona. The RTA is managed by Pima Association of Governments, the region’s metropolitan planning organization, through a memorandum of understanding. What is the RTA plan? The RTA plan is a $2.1 billion, 20-year multi-modal plan with roadway, transit, safety, environmental and economic vitality improvements. The final plan approved by Pima County voters on May 16, 2006, includes 14 changes based on public feedback during the planning process. What is the need for the RTA plan? The projects included in the RTA plan primarily focus on existing needs in the regional transportation system. During prior transportation planning efforts, the public indicated a need for improved cross-town mobility, reduced congestion, improved safety and more alternative mode choices. Before voter approval of the RTA plan, a projected shortfall in funding to meet transportation needs through 2026 was nearly $5 billion. Approval of the RTA plan helped to reduce that funding shortfall, and the projects are improving the transportation system to meet today’s basic needs as well as future needs based on public feedback. Who pays for the RTA plan improvements? The plan improvements are funded by a half-cent excise tax. The 20-year tax became effective July 1, 2006, throughout Pima County and will be collected through June 30, 2026. Visitors and tourists contribute toward the tax. Groceries, prescription drugs and rental housing are not taxed. The average cost per person per month is about $2.50. Local jurisdictions also have committed over $400 million from impact fees, federal funds and local transportation allocations to help fund the RTA plan. Who benefits from the RTA plan improvements? Residents, businesses and visitors alike will benefit from the regional transportation improvements due to reduced congestion, improved safety and mobility, and increased travel options. People and businesses will save time and money. The region overall will benefit from new jobs and economic benefits created directly and indirectly as a result of the 20-year plan. Road projects will occur in the city of Tucson, the towns of Marana, Oro Valley and Sahuarita, and in Pima County, including Green Valley. Transit, safety, and environmental and economic vitality improvements also will be spread throughout the region. See maps inside for details. Who oversees the RTA plan improvements? The RTA Board has taken steps above the oversight requirements of the RTA statutes by establishing a Citizens Accountability for Regional Transportation (CART) Committee. The CART Committee meets quarterly and its members represent a diverse group of people from throughout the region. The RTA Board promised to deliver on the voter-approved projects and pledged to spend the minimum amount budgeted for each project as approved on May 16, 2006.