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YMPO outlines regional transportation priorities and funding gaps to San Luis council
Summary
The Yuma Metropolitan Planning Organization presented its current plans, federally required documents and funding challenges to the San Luis City Council, highlighting ongoing projects, a study on Transportation Management Area status and the need for new revenue tools such as a regional sales tax.
Cristal Figueroa, executive director of the Yuma Metropolitan Planning Organization, told the San Luis City Council that YMPO is updating federally required planning documents and pursuing several regional studies and grants that affect the city and surrounding jurisdictions.
Figueroa said YMPO produces a unified planning work program and budget, a 20‑year long range transportation plan, a five‑year transportation improvement program, an air quality conformity analysis and an annual audit and Title VI report. “These documents guide how YMPO programs federally transportation funding while ensuring transparency, public participation, and regulatory compliance,” she said.
The presentation described near‑term work including road safety scoping, a complete streets guide and the LRTP and TIP updates; and projects planned for fiscal 2026–27: a Roads of Regional Significance study; a Transportation Management Area (TMA) study that will determine whether the region could reach TMA population thresholds by the 2030 census; a regional comprehensive safety action plan funded by a Safe Streets and Roads for All grant; a short‑range transit plan; an I‑8 improvement study; and a regional sales‑tax feasibility study.
Figueroa said the TMA designation could increase federal annual funding from about $1 million to roughly $4–5 million for the region. She also flagged long‑term revenue shortfalls tied to stagnant fuel tax purchasing power: “The fuel tax has not been increased in over 35 years,” she said, and noted that many states have reformed fuel taxes while Arizona has not. Figueroa explained that YMPO pursues one‑time competitive grants and the Arizona Smart Fund to leverage federal funds; YMPO has received over $10 million in Smart Fund awards that leveraged more than $45 million in federal funds, and approximately $13–14 million remains in that program for rural projects.
Council members asked for specifics about federal dollars and the Gary Knight Memorial Highway naming; Figueroa said the state board of geographic and historic names has approved the Gary Knight designation and a ceremony is expected. Council member Maria Cecilia Cruz was recognized in the presentation for her longtime participation on the YMPO board. Figueroa concluded by offering to provide project and funding details to council on request.
The presentation was informational; no council action was taken at the meeting.
