voter approved Proposal 411 Last May, the 0.5-cent sales tax was extended for 10 years to fund road improvements in neighborhood streets in Tucson.

The city will begin collecting sales tax in July 2022, raising about $39 million, according to the Department of Transportation. These funds will be used for the initial list of priority roads approved last month by the Independent Oversight Board.

The first year of the project includes roads with a rating grade of 20% or less based on a 0-100% scale. Commission chair Dale Calvert said the roads were selected based on a “worst-first” approach.

The project is expected to start this summer. However, official construction dates for each road project have not yet been determined.

Going forward, the committee will discuss a set of criteria for approving projects with fairness in mind.

“Equity has at least two functions … do people in all parts of the city get a reasonable share of the funds? Is it being applied in the most equitable way to maintain condition?” Calvert said.

The goal is to keep the roads still intact, but additional maintenance may be required.

Proposition 411 team leader James DeGrood said: “It also depends on the nature of the pavement damage…We look at each area individually and try to find the most cost-effective approach.”

The city plans to raise approximately $740 million over the next 10 years for road improvement projects. Funds will be directed towards improving neighborhood street and safety conditions, with the funds split into two components he of 80% and 20% respectively.

Oversight of the Proposition 411 project has been entrusted to two groups. An independent oversight board that approves pavement projects and a full road coordination board that oversees safety projects such as bike networks, traffic lights and accessibility.

The second component of Proposition 411, Safe Roads, is further divided into four different categories: pedestrian accessibility, bike path improvements, general safety improvements, and traffic light upgrades. Street Program Coordinator Patrick Hartley said.

The 17-member Full Street Coordination Council examined historical data. move tucsonThe city’s transport master plan to identify areas most in need of safety improvements.

Hartley said that while the council will consider opportunities for corridor improvements, it “emphasizes the importance of locations where these safety improvements are known to be needed and which have historically been underinvested.” We’re looking at areas within the community that were there.”

The Complete Street team is working on a design plan for a specific project approved to start this year. Hartley explained that while citizens can expect some work to begin this year, most of the larger projects won’t begin until the next calendar year.

“Over the next few years, we will be doing a lot of work to make our roads more comfortable, safer and more accessible to all users. We thank the Tucson voters for approving this action. Thank you and I look forward to starting work,” said Hartley.

Tucson citizens can send road concerns to tdotconcerns@tucsonaz.gov. Although this means of communication is primarily used for urgent issues such as filling potholes or unclear signage, the transportation department closely monitors reports that express the need for further road improvements.

The city plans to raise $740 million over the next 10 years for road improvement projects. Funds will be directed towards improving neighborhood street and safety conditions, with the funds split into two components he of 80% and 20% respectively.

Oversight of the Proposition 411 project has been entrusted to two groups. An independent oversight board that approves pavement projects and a full road coordination board that oversees safety projects such as bike networks, traffic lights and accessibility.