RTA 2026-2046 Regional Transportation Plan

RTA Next icon

Voters approved new RTA plan (RTA Next), for an additional 20 years of self-investment and transportation improvement. The RTA plan is a 20-year, $2.67 billion regional plan for the greater Tucson area to continue and expand road, transit, safety, bike/pedestrian, and environmental improvements.

The 20-year plan includes five elements:

  • Roadway (multimodal) Corridor
  • Arterial Reconstruction
  • Transit
  • Safety, ADA and Active Transportation
  • Environmental

Regional Transportation Authority Website

 

RTA Pavement Rehabilitation - Irvington Road

The new RTA plan (RTA Next) allocates $177.6 million to pavement rehabilitation over the four construction periods of the voter-approved 20-year regional transportation plan. RTA funding for this element of the plan is reserved for arterial and collector roads that are highly traveled corridors across the region. Neighborhood streets are not eligible for Regional Transportation Authority funding. Improving the arterial and collector road network will enhance safety for all modes of travel and reduce costly long-term maintenance. 

The City of Tucson’s Independent Oversight and Accountability Commission (IOAC) approved the RTA plan Arterial and Collector Rehabilitation Projects on April 21, 2026. 

Irvington Road Project Timeline

The schedule is subject to change due to inclement weather or unforeseen circumstances. Crews will work Monday through Friday, from about 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day, through October 15, and about 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day, from October 16 through April 30, with the possibility of occasional weekend work. Please note, projects during monsoon season may see weather impacts and delays.

Project Start

SAP under contract with the Department of Transportation and Mobility (DTM), is scheduled to begin the project by reconstructing non-compliant ADA ramps in the project area.

Asphalt Prep Work

Crews will begin the asphalt prep work which includes lowering manhole covers and water valve covers within the project limits. If you see manhole and water valve covers on the curb, please do not throw them away. They will be replaced after paving.

Milling and Paving

Phase I - Sierra to Pantano: Mid-August to Late September 2026
Phase II - Pantano to Kolb: Early October to Late December 2026

Following the prep work, crews are scheduled to mill (remove) the old asphalt and repave with new asphalt. All residential and business access will be maintained; however, access will be restricted intermittently when heavy equipment is directly in front of driveways. Paving is usually complete within 24 hours of milling, but may take a little longer due to crew capacity.

After paving, it usually takes about 30 minutes for the pavement to cure and then cars are able to drive on the newly paved road

Estimated Project Completion

Following paving operations, crews will return to raise manhole covers and water valve covers level with the new asphalt and paint pavement markings.

Missing a street sign after road work? Please contact 3-1-1 for assistance.

Continue to check this page for updates and project status.

 

RTA Next Resources

RTA Next Website

RTA Next Plan 

The Regional Transportation Authority has information on its website about the RTA Next Plan, including detailed project descriptions, maps, FAQs, public meetings, and more. 

Proposed RTA Next Projects in the City of Tucson

Full Project List

First Avenue: Grant Road to River Road
Reconstruct to a 4-lane divided roadway with bicycle, pedestrian, and associated intersection and drainage improvements

22nd Street: I-10 to Kino Parkway
Reconstruct to a 4-lane divided roadway with bicycle, pedestrian, associated drainage improvements and grade separation at the railroad tracks Previously Approved Scope: Widen to 6 lanes, 6-lane bridge over railroad tracks, bike lanes and sidewalks.

Houghton Road: Broadway Boulevard to Tanque Verde Road
Widen to a 2- to 4-lane roadway with bicycle, pedestrian, and associated intersection and drainage improvements Previously Approved Scope: Widen to 4- and 6-lane desert parkway, new bridges (washes and rail), bike lanes and sidewalks.

Grant Road: Fremont Avenue to Sparkman Boulevard
Completion of widening to 6-lane arterial, streetscaping, bike lanes and sidewalks.

Drexel Road: Midvale Park Road to Calle Santa Cruz
Construct a new bridge over the Santa Cruz River including bicycle, pedestrian, intersection and associated drainage improvements.

Drexel Road/I-19: Calle Santa Cruz to South 12th Avenue
New bicycle and pedestrian connections across I-19.

Drexel Road: South 12th Avenue to Country Club Road
Modernize existing corridor including bicycle, pedestrian, and associated intersection and drainage improvements.

Prince Road: Romero Road to Country Club Road
Modernize existing roadway including bicycle, pedestrian, and associated intersection and drainage improvements.

Harrison Road: Golf Links Road to Irvington Road
Widen to 4-lane roadway including turn lanes, bridge over the Pantano Wash, bicycle, pedestrian, and associated intersection and drainage improvements.

Irvington Road: 15th Avenue to Tucson Boulevard
Modernize existing roadway to include pavement reconstruction and safety, associated drainage and intersection improvements.

29th Street: Alvernon Way to Craycroft Road
Modernize existing roadway to improve traffic, bicycle, pedestrian, and associated intersection and drainage facilities.

Mission Road: Starr Pass to south of 36th Street
Modernize roadway to include pavement, bicycle, pedestrian, intersection and drainage improvements. Evaluate removal of travel lanes.

Campbell Avenue: Benson Highway to Valencia Road
Modernize existing roadway including bicycle, pedestrian, and associated intersection and drainage improvements.

La Cholla Boulevard: Ajo Highway to Starr Pass Boulevard
Modernize existing roadway including bicycle, pedestrian, and associated intersection and drainage improvements.

Camino Seco: Wrightstown Road to Speedway Boulevard
Modernize existing roadway including bicycle, pedestrian, and associated intersection and drainage improvements.

About the New RTA Plan (RTA Next)

The new RTA plan builds on the first $2.1 billion, 20-year RTA plan passed by voters in 2006. RTA representatives from the City of Tucson, Pima County, South Tucson, the towns of Oro Valley, Marana, and Sahuarita, the state of Arizona, and the indigenous nations of the Tohono O’odham and Pascua Yaqui have spent the past several years working through a new plan that will continue to improve transportation infrastructure for the entire region.

The voter-approved $2.67 billion RTA Next will upgrade or construct nearly 31 road segments across the region, fund public transit improvements, improve transportation safety, and add wildlife habitat connectivity across major roadways. The plan will complete the projects from the first RTA Plan that could not be completed due to funding shortfalls created by the Great Recession and the COVID Pandemic.

 

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