Mesa transportation directors present $58.9M operating budget and $3M-per-year pilot for active-transport projects

Mesa transportation leaders presented the department's fiscal priorities April 6, outlining a proposed $58.9 million operating budget for fiscal year 2026-27, a $35 million annual lifecycle program for capital replacements and overlays, and a new three-year pilot that would allocate $3 million per year for smaller community-driven active-transportation projects.

"We're really gonna focus on reducing safety risk," said Eric Adarian, who identified himself as the transportation director. Adarian told the council the department finished a comprehensive safety action plan and continues work aligned with the 2022 council goal to cut fatal and serious-injury crashes 30% by 2030.

The transportation department credited prior council investment with pushing its pavement condition index above target. Adarian said the city will complete conversion to LED street lighting in June, with about 400 fixtures remaining in the downtown area. He also highlighted bringing an in-house concrete crew back online three years ago, which shrank sidewalk repair response times from roughly 30 days to about 10 days.

Deputy Tra…