Pima County just sent a clear signal: infrastructure investment isn't dead—it's just getting started.

On Tuesday, voters approved RTA Next, a $2.67 billion regional transportation plan that will shape the Tucson metro area for the next two decades. With approximately 60% support, the measure extends a half-cent sales tax to fund road construction, transit services, and transportation improvements across Pima County.

What Was Approved

The plan picks up where the 2006 RTA left off—that $2.1 billion initiative funded more than 1,000 transportation improvements before its June 2026 expiration. RTA Next builds on that foundation with:

• $2.67 billion in total investment over 20 years

• Road and highway projects spanning the county

• Transit service expansion and improvements

• Local street enhancements across multiple jurisdictions

A Foundation Worth Building On

The 2006 RTA didn't happen by accident—or by legislation alone. The original enabling law gave Pima County and the City of Tucson each a unilateral veto over any RTA decision. That structure made regional cooperation nearly impossible.

The solution came from a willingness to let go. County and City leadership—then-Pima County Supervisor Ramón Valadez and then-Mayor Bob Walkup—surrendered their vetoes, transforming the RTA from a body that could be blocked by any single jurisdiction into one that had to build consensus. That structural change made the 2006 RTA possible, and it's the reason RTA Next exists today.

Why This Matters Now

The timing is significant. Arizona's economic momentum is creating unprecedented demand for infrastructure—power, water, roads, and fiber. Meanwhile, the state's housing shortage has driven permit volumes down 11% year-over-year, with single-family permits dropping 13.6%.

Against that backdrop, RTA Next represents something increasingly rare: a coalition that actually delivered. The "yes" campaign brought together the Southern Arizona Leadership Council, Tucson Medical Center, local governments, and business groups under the Connect Pima umbrella. Ted Maxwell, president of the Southern Arizona Leadership Council, called it "a huge win for Pima County" that shows "we need to invest in infrastructure for our economy and for our quality of life."

A win for the community. This victory belongs to the campaign team and the thousands of supporters who voted yes on Propositions 418 and 419. From business leaders to neighborhood advocates, the Connect Pima coalition showed what's possible when Southern Arizona comes together. Congratulations to everyone who made this investment in our region's future possible.

That's not just rhetoric. The transportation projects funded by RTA Next will directly impact:

• Freight movement for industrial and logistics operations

• Worker access to employment centers across the region

• Site connectivity for companies considering Tucson or Pima County locations

The Business Angle

For companies evaluating Arizona for distribution centers, manufacturing operations, or any growth-oriented business, transportation infrastructure is a key due diligence factor. RTA Next provides:

1. Certainty— A 20-year funding mechanism reduces the risk of deferred maintenance or project delays

2. Regional connectivity— Improvements span jurisdictions, supporting integrated supply chains

3. Workforce access— Better transit and roads mean broader labor pool access

The firms that engage early—with local governments, with the RTA, with economic development organizations—will be better positioned to influence project timelines and site access.

What to Watch

Implementation begins April 1, 2026. The RTA will publish project prioritization and schedule details in the coming months. Companies with Pima County operations or expansion plans should:

• Review the project list for impacts to your sites or supply chains

• Connect with local government affairs teams early

• Consider participating in public comment periods for specific projects

Valadez & Associates helps clients navigate Arizona's economic development landscape, from permitting to stakeholder engagement. If you're evaluating infrastructure-related opportunities or challenges in the Tucson region, let's talk.