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Tucson council backs RTA Next plan to go to voters in March 2026
Summary
The council unanimously supported sending the Regional Transportation Authority's 'RTA Next' Option 3 to the Pima County Board for a March 10, 2026 ballot, endorsing $726M in transit investment and $1.2B in roadway projects while pressing for transparency and citizen oversight.
Tucson — The City of Tucson mayor and council voted Aug. 19 to support the Regional Transportation Authority’s RTA Next plan and asked Pima County to place the measure before voters on March 10, 2026.
Transportation staff summarized Option 3 as a package that completes remaining RTA 1 projects, adds roughly $1.2 billion in new roadway investment, allocates about $177.6 million for arterial rehabilitation and raises transit funding to approximately $726 million (up from $610 million in prior proposals). The plan also includes annual funding for streetcar operations and a bus-rapid‑transit north–south corridor.
Mayor and council members pressed RTA leadership for transparent forecasting and stronger citizen oversight. Councilmembers sought assurances that revenue forecasts use pessimistic scenarios, recommended periodic public reporting, and requested clear mechanisms for midcourse corrections if revenues fall short. RTA executive staff said much of those administrative and transparency workstreams will be incorporated into implementing policy.
The City Council’s support was unanimous; the city’s motion asks the RTA board and Pima County to proceed, with the expectation that the county will call an election for March 10, 2026.
What comes next: Staff will monitor the RTA board and Pima County supervisory processes; if the Board of Supervisors calls the election, the plan will be presented to voters in March 2026.
