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Regional Transportation Authority Turns 2

By Jim Becker, KOLD News 13 Reporter

Up until now, the exclusive priority of the RTA has been safety.

Projects such as sidewalk extensions, traffic signal and intersection improvements are among 38 projects already completed.

Voters were promised relief from traffic congestion, and planners say that will come about within the next two years, with a number of road-widening projects slated to begin, including 22nd street to I-10, as well as several road improvements in Sahuarita and Corona De Tucson.

"We're still going to continue to grow in this community," explains Jim DeGrood of Pima Association of Governments.  "I'm not going to tell you that we're going to eliminate congestion with these improvements, but we certainly will offset part of the effects of growth."

Voters approved the Regional Transportation Authority along with a half-cent sales tax in May 2006.

The largest project, widening Grant Road to three lanes each way from Oracle to Swan, a five-mile stretch, will wait another five years.

The project will cost $160-million, with much of that money used to purchase right of way property.