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RTA staff reports $143 million shortfall; Tucson projects and four deferred projects shift to 'RTA next' planning
Summary
At a regional transportation authority (RTA) update, city officials reported that the RTA’s cost‑to‑complete estimate shows a $143 million funding shortfall for remaining projects. RTA staff also identified $239 million of deferred projects moved to the 'RTA next' list; city of Tucson has 12 active projects remaining.
Tucson transportation officials on March 4 briefed the mayor and council on Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) board discussions, where RTA staff reported a current funding shortfall of $143,000,000 to complete the RTA plan and said $239,000,000 of projects have been deferred to an "RTA next" plan.
Sam Credio, director of Transportation and Mobility, told the council that RTA staff delivered an update reviewing remaining RTA projects and available resources. "According to RTA staff, there is currently a funding shortfall of $143,000,000 after all available funding resources are accounted for," Credio said. He added that four projects already shifted to RTA next include Tucson's Houghton Road (Broadway to Tanque Verde) and 20th Street (Kino to I‑10); Marana’s Silver Bell Road segment; and Pima County’s First Avenue segment. Credio said the total value of projects deferred to RTA next is $239,000,000.
Credio reported the RTA survey and outreach results used in developing RTA next but noted respondent composition raised representation concerns: of 2,213 survey respondents, only 14.6% self‑identified as Hispanic or Latino compared with Pima County’s roughly 42% Hispanic/Latino population, and lower‑income households (under $50,000) were underrepresented.
RTA staff told the board that to call a November 2025 election for RTA next, the board must finalize the plan by May 2025. Council members and staff noted the timing is tight and suggested the city prepare its own list of options to help close funding gaps, including scope changes and federal/regional funding strategies.
No board action to resolve the shortfall was taken at the RTA meeting; the RTA staff presented three high‑level options to address the shortfall — additional local funding, scope reductions, or deferring projects to RTA next — and the board discussed further meetings between now and May. Tucson’s delegation to the RTA emphasized the need for regional coordination on funding and project scope decisions to preserve voter trust for any future ballot measure.
What's next: Tucson staff will continue to work with RTA staff and regional partners to explore funding options, scope adjustments, and outreach strategies. The RTA board indicated it may hold additional meetings before May to finalize a plan that could be considered for a November 2025 ballot, but some members expressed concern about the compressed schedule.
