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RTA Next special election

March 10 @ 6:00 am – 7:00 pm MST

by Carolyn Classen, blogger

“The public is invited to review the Regional Transportation Authority’s $2.67 billion regional transportation plan, approved by the RTA Board on Aug. 25, 2025, for future voter consideration. The final RTA Next plan was completed with input from RTA members and the public gathered through surveys, open houses, meetings, and submitted comments. 

The board has set an election date of March 10, 2026, when voters in Pima County will have the ultimate say on the plan.

The 20-year plan includes five elements:

  • Roadway (multimodal) Corridor
  • Arterial Reconstruction
  • Transit
  • Safety, ADA and Active Transportation
  • Environmental

The RTA is a state-established taxing district within the boundaries of Pima County. The RTA’s current 20-year plan is funded by a half-cent sales tax. Both were approved by voters in 2006. The new plan and funding investment for another 20 years will require voter approval for both to go into effect.

The RTA, which was established in 2004, has invested more than $1.6 billion in more than 1,000 transportation improvements across the greater Tucson region.”

Carolyn’s note: RTA brought changes to this region, with passage of this original 20 year plan in May, 2006, funded by a half cent sales increase. RTA Next wants an extension of that same sales tax. The biggest projects in Tucson were the 4 mile Sun link streetcar, widening of E. Broadway Blvd. and the continued widening of E. Grant Rd.

Prop 418 and 419 on the March 10 ballot.

  • “Proposition 418 – RTA Plan
    Submission deadline: December 10, 2025
    Do you approve the regional transportation plan for Pima County?
    • A “YES” vote indicates your approval of the proposed regional transportation plan as developed by the Regional Transportation Authority of Pima County and described in the election materials.
    • A “NO” vote indicates your disapproval of the proposed regional transportation plan.
  • Proposition 419 – RTA Tax
    Submission deadline:  December 10, 2025
    Do you favor the levy of a transaction privilege (sales) tax for regional transportation purposes in Pima County?
    • A “YES” vote has the effect of imposing a transaction privilege (sales) tax in Pima County for twenty years to provide funding for the transportation projects contained in the regional transportation plan.
    • A “NO” vote has the effect of rejecting the transaction privilege (sales) tax for transportation purposes in Pima County.

View the full text of Proposition 418 PDF and Proposition 419 PDF.”

Early ballots go out on Feb. 11.