The Pima Association of Governments and the Regional Transportation Authority on Wednesday outlined RTA Next, a proposed 20‑year, $2.67 billion continuation of the existing half‑cent regional sales tax that funds roads, transit and pedestrian improvements across Pima County.

"RTA Next is a 20 year plan. It's a $2,670,000,000 plan," Michael Ortega, executive director of the Pima Association of Governments and the Regional Transportation Authority, told the Oro Valley Town Council, adding that the package combines roadway projects, safety and active‑transportation investments, arterial and collector pavement rehabilitation, transit/paratransit funding and environmental and wildlife linkages.

Ortega said the plan is not a tax increase but a replacement of the current measure at the same rate; it would continue a funding stream local governments have relied on since the 2006 RTA. He described the package as including 31 new roadway projects plus seven projects carried forward from RTA 1, two of which were rescoped because original scopes are outdated or were underfunded.

For Oro Valley, Ortega identified three projects included in RTA Next: Lambert Lane (from Thornydale to Rancho Sonora Drive) with an estimated cost of about $55 million, Shannon Road (Club Drive to Tangerine Road) and Lanaha Drive to the high school (listed with a $26 million estimate). He said those Oro Valley projects are scheduled in the plan’s first five‑year period, meaning they would be among the earliest construction phases if voters approve the measure.

Council members asked for clarity on planning‑stage corridors, transit safety and how regional funds would be available for bridge or pavement maintenance. Ortega said the dashed Sonoran Corridor on his map was a planning study rather than a construction commitment. He said the RTA Next budget conservatively uses a pessimistic revenue projection to reduce the chance of future shortfalls and that the program includes quarterly reporting by the citizens’ oversight committee (CART) to improve accountability.

Ortega also highlighted the distribution of program spending: roughly two‑thirds of RTA Next dollars would support roads and about a quarter would go to transit and paratransit, including dial‑a‑ride services he said are a large portion of current transit expenditures. He pointed to additional allocations in the plan for safety features, active transportation (pedestrian/bicycle), arterial and collector pavement rehabilitation, and wildlife crossings or fencing to reduce vehicle–animal collisions.

“If you look at this picture and you see what happens when that gray goes away, you can see it's a pretty stark picture going forward,” Ortega said, referring to a graphic showing sales tax revenue versus state and federal funds.

Councilmember questions focused on local priorities and timing. Vice Mayor Barrett asked whether more funding could be targeted to transit safety; Ortega said the region will work with jurisdictional partners and transit advocates to direct funds where needed. Councilmember Murphy praised the planned quarterly oversight briefings and Mayor Winfield said the plan helps address long‑deferred needs in roadway and bridge maintenance.

The RTA Next board plans additional public outreach; Ortega said the authority will hold a question‑and‑answer session in Oro Valley in December and that the plan is scheduled to go to voters in March.

What happens next: the RTA board is advancing the measure toward a public vote; if placed on the ballot and approved by voters it would replace the current RTA tax at the same rate and fund the list of regional projects and programs.