Ongoing disputes between the City of Tucson and the Regional Transportation Authority, which had been cooling since a new agreement was reached in January, are threatening to heat back up and may throw the RTA Next plan covering the next 20 years of major road improvements into jeopardy.
The current argument focuses on an improvement plan for First Avenue between River and Grant roads that would widen the street from four lanes to six. The project was part of the package voters approved in 2006.
RTA does not have sufficient funding for all the 2006-approved projects, and the increases in traffic predicted along First Avenue have not taken place. RTA has asked for cost-saving suggestions, and Tucson proposed keeping First Avenue at four lanes but making other improvements.
RTA, however, has required a multi-step scope change from the City, and an RTA task force recommended against the First Avenue improvements under the Authority’s current list, suggesting it go out for voter approval as part of the RTA Next plan. This would make First Avenue improvements part of a much larger project bundle voters need to consider.
Some Tucson officials have pointed out RTA has approved more expensive projects outside the City of Tucson limits, and some have accused the Authority of playing politics with the projects list. Some have also questioned the RTA’s requirement for a revised scope of work for First Avenue, noting other projects have not have to submit them.
RTA has countered the changed projects were not part of the 2006 voter approval and, thus, not subject to the same procedural requirements.
The Tucson officials also say shifting First Avenue into the RTA Next projects would violate the spirit of the January agreement that reduced earlier tensions between the City and the Authority. Under the agreement, RTA agreed to fund incomplete projects that were part of the original plan.
Some City officials are considering withholding support for RTA Next unless and until the previously approved projects are addressed. (Source)