Corrections and clarifications: A previous version of this article contained incorrect information about a state law that prohibits light rail and streetcar extensions funded by revenue from transportation sales taxes. The article also provided incorrect information that the Proposition 479 plan would cover up to 70% of the costs associated with other light rail system improvements with federal funds. Additionally, the article incorrectly stated that the plan required an additional $28.5 million to continue widening State Route 24. The article also incorrectly identified the Queen Creek Regional Strategic Transportation Infrastructure Investment Plan., So was the misidentification of Tempe’s proposed “bus rapid transit” route.
East Valley voters will decide on a key countywide ballot measure aimed at continuing to collect a half-cent sales and transportation tax for the next 20 years.
Proposition 479 is one of a number of ballot initiatives voters will consider in November. The scheme was first approved in 1985, renewed in 2004, and is scheduled to expire at the end of 2025.
Billions of dollars are spent maintaining transportation, building new roads and highways, and repairing aging infrastructure.
What will Proposition 479 pay for?
The continuation of the tax is expected to generate nearly $15 billion in revenue, according to the Maricopa Association of Governments. If the effort fails, the county would stop collecting taxes in 2026.
The breakdown of sales tax collection from MAG is as follows:
- 40.5% on highways and highways.
- 22.5% to highways and regional transportation infrastructure;
- 37% until transit.
2024 Election:Summary of Proposition 479
According to MAG, state law prohibits sales tax-funded light rail and streetcar extensions. The plan includes using federal funds available in the region to pay for up to 70% of the costs associated with other light rail system improvements.
That means additional funding sources will need to be found to move forward with the anticipated extension of the Tempe streetcar to Mesa. In June, the federal government committed $16 million to complete design and environmental efforts. However, this may cover less than 4% of the total project cost.
Critics of the proposal, including the Arizona Free Enterprise Club and the Goldwater Institute, are urging residents to vote no. Scott Musi, president of the Arizona Free Enterprise Club, said Prop. 479 is a “transportation slush fund disguised as a transportation plan” and that residents need a better plan.
Connect Maricopa, the largest ballot measure sponsor, brought together all mayors in the Valley to present arguments in support of Proposition 479.
“Our investments in transportation infrastructure are fundamental to the quality of life, economic expansion, and job growth in our region,” said Mesa Mayor John Giles, co-chair of Connect Maricopa, in a statement. mentioned in.
Tempe Mayor Corey Woods emphasized the significance of transportation funding cuts.
“Equally important is the impact on local transportation systems, including buses, vanpools, and services for the elderly and disabled. This system not only facilitates the daily commute, but also reduces traffic congestion and improves air quality. ,” Woods wrote.
East Valley Major Project: State Route 24 Extension
In the southeast Valley, the continued widening of State Route 24 is considered a key project to address growth in the region.
To date, $283 million has been spent on State Route 24 between Loop 202 and Ironwood Drive, according to MAG. If Maricopa County voters pass Proposition 479, the highway could receive an additional $119 million in funding to expand an additional five-mile section that meets the scoring criteria.
State Route 24 is in Phase 1 of the Regional Transportation Infrastructure Investment Plan and is targeted to begin construction between 2026 and 2030.
The plan also calls for an additional $28.5 million to continue widening that section of the highway, with no scheduled construction date.
Mesa and Queen Creek officials both said the highway would be an economic link for the region.
State Route 24 is seen as a critical piece of clearing state land that is slated for large-scale development. It also aims to ease traffic congestion for Queen Creek and Santan Valley residents commuting west for work.
Traffic studies show Ellsworth Road and Ironwood Drive are already exceeding their designed traffic levels and would have the worst congestion ratings within six years without State Route 24.
The latest data from the Arizona Department of Transportation on the stretch of State Route 24 between Loop 202 and the Ellsworth Road interchange shows an average of nearly 60,000 vehicles per day, and MAG’s project expects to The number could reach 93,000 units per day.
First Queek Creek road receives funding: ‘Now it’s our turn’
Queen Creek residents have been paying a half-cent sales tax for years without reaping the benefits. If Proposition 479 is approved, that could change.
“Now it’s our turn,” Mayor Julia Wheatley wrote in an op-ed in the Queen Creek Times.
Queen Creek is a relatively new town straddling the Maricopa and Pinal county line and is listed as one of the fastest growing communities in the country. The town’s current population is approximately 83,000 people, and the population is expected to grow by 76% over the next 10 years.
The town could receive $125.7 million in highway project improvements.
Construction of Meridian Road from German Road to State Route 24 could be an important project to help ease congestion along Ellsworth Road and Ironwood Drive. That section of Meridian Road is projected to see an average of 60,000 trips per day in 2030. According to a study conducted in 2021.
In July, MAG began recruiting consultants to prepare a corridor study for a major 8.5-mile addition to Meridian Road.
This section within the Queen Creek boundary could cost $24.2 million and is expected to begin between 2031 and 2035.
The Queen Creek Road Regional Strategic Transportation Infrastructure Investment Plan focuses primarily on road expansion.
The list includes the following stopovers:
- hunt highway
- Crismon Road
- german road
- Hawes Road
- empire road
- Riggs Road
- power road
- signal butte road
- Sossaman Road
Reduces train turbulence for Gilbert drivers
The Union Pacific Railroad line passes through a high-traffic area of Gilbert, and the town is attempting to alleviate congestion in that area by constructing a grade separation. Separation helps eliminate hazards, improve traffic flow, and eliminate nearby train horns.
The town is expected to receive more than $114 million in local funding to build an overpass at McQueen, Power and Val Vista roads. Mr. Gilbert will be required to contribute approximately $49 million in matching funds.
The Power and Pecos Road grade separations are a top priority for the region, as they are located on the Mesa-Gilbert border. The total cost of the overpass is expected to be $114 million, with construction expected to begin in the fourth phase of the plan after 2041.
According to data from Gilbert’s Transportation Master Plan, that intersection sees about 30,000 trips each day.
Val Vista Road grade separation is scheduled to begin between 2031 and 2035. It is expected to cost approximately $24.7 million.
Chandler will spend $64 million to widen Loop 202, but the city won’t pay a dime.
Chandler Mayor Kevin Hartke said Loop 202 is being widened between Loop 101 and Interstate 10 at a cost of $64.4 million. This section of highway is located just east of downtown and is an important route connecting Chandler and Phoenix, with direct access to Sky Harbor International Airport via the interstate. 10.
The project will add lanes to Loop 202 and improve traffic flow in both directions to minimize congestion as populations grow in both Chandler and the Valley.
The city is not slowing down on such road construction.
MAG said the project is considered a region-wide project, even though Chandler is one of the communities that would benefit most from the expansion given the road’s proximity to the city center. The $64.4 million amount is fully funded by community funds.
The widening of Loop 202 will be part of MAG’s “Phase 1” project, meaning construction will begin between 2026 and 2030.
Scottsdale road improvements continue. North Scottsdale Road wins multiple projects
Scottsdale Road is one of the most important routes in its namesake city. The river runs north-south through a geographically elongated community, from the Salt River in the south, through Old Town and Scottsdale Airport, to the edge of Carefree.
The street has already received tens of millions of dollars in improvements to various road segments through MAG’s existing transportation plan, which was funded by the now-defunct Proposition 400. Like the projects underway on North Scottsdale Road from East Joemax Road to East Dixileta Drive, most of which will improve safety and increase traffic efficiency.
Scottsdale Road budget issues:The cost of the Scottsdale road project has tripled. The reason is as follows
Proposition 479 would continue that work on a vast 9-mile stretch of Scottsdale Road between East Highland Avenue and East Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard. The road is one of the most important parts of Scottsdale Road, connecting the city’s biggest economic driver, the Scottsdale Airport to the north, and Old Town to the south.
Scottsdale Transportation Plan The project says it will modify the road to “meet full highway standards.” This includes installing “continuous sidewalks” along that stretch, as well as bike lanes 5 to 6 feet wide.
At a total cost of $50.7 million, it will be one of the most expensive street reconstruction projects in the regional program. MAG will cover approximately $35.5 million of that cost, and Scottsdale will cover the remaining $15.2 million.
The project is scheduled to begin construction between 2036 and 2040.
Tempe’s new bus route connects with Scottsdale, Chandler
Tempe was one of the most densely populated cities in the region and was hit hardest when Prop. 479 eliminated major public transit expansion, as it has little space to expand roads. It became one of the cities.
But the city is hoping to move on from the proposed MAG program in the form of a new “bus rapid transit” route that would start in Chandler on West Chandler Boulevard, take North Rall Road through Tempe, and end at Scottsdale Road. We’re going to get a lot of transportation investment. It travels down the Salt River and ends in the middle of Scottsdale.
This approximately 24-mile route creates a direct transportation link between the heart of downtown Tempe and Old Town Scottsdale, two of the East Valley’s most popular nightlife destinations.
Although its southernmost point is only a few miles from the heart of downtown Chandler, it does not provide a direct connection to downtown Chandler.
The new bus rapid transit route will be one of the most expensive projects in MAG’s transportation plan, totaling approximately $973 million. Approximately $681 million will come from regional funds, and the remaining $292 million will come from those listed as “local/other” sources in MAG’s transportation plan.
It is scheduled to be implemented between 2026 and 2030.
