TAKE ACTION: Next steps on Move Tucson transportation plan

Move Tucson is the city-wide mobility plan being developed as a way to implement Tucson's Complete Streets policy. For the past several months Department of Transportation and Mobility has been working to analyze existing conditions of our transportation network, and gain an understanding of community priorities. TDTM has identified 234 projects totaling approximately $5.7 billion dollars that will make Tucson's transportation system more complete.

Tucson's Department of Transportation and Mobility (TDTM) has compiled its Move Tucson projects list based on survey feedback, and the next steps include:
(1) Asking Tucsonans to further prioritize what work should be done when. 
(2) TDTM will host a virtual town hall on Fri 23-JUL-2021 at 12:00N to gather your comments. More info at -- https://movetucson.org

Join by computer at -- https://bit.ly/MoveTucsonTownHall2

From March until August 2020, Tucsonans shared their vision for the city’s mobility future. Over 4,500 people participated in the online survey from all areas of the city.

These responses confirmed that Tucsonans want:
Roads, streets, and paths that provide safe and connected access for all modes.
Better ways to travel across town
Safety improvements for all modes, particularly for those walking and biking

Improve connectivity by closing network gaps, providing safe crossings at major roadways for all users, and supporting cross-town mobility options

Prioritize maintenance, including repaving roadways and bikeways, removing debris, repairing sidewalks, and addressing potholes across the network
Increased options for how to get around
Transportation options that support a sustainable city

Increase shade and vegetation to improve comfort of travel along roadways and paths
Improve access for persons with disabilities, particularly for trails and bridges
Slow vehicle speeds to improve safety and comfort of travel along city roadways

Catalyst Corridor projects (see pic above) are large-scale Complete Streets projects that create space for multiple modes along an entire corridor, creating significant change to the look, feel, and operations on the street. These projects improve safety and access for most modes of travel and will involve: reconstructing pavement, adding continuous sidewalks and enhanced bike lanes, and upgrading traffic signals, among others. 
$1,828,792,775 COMBINED COST
SEE PROJECT LIST (PDF)122

Move Tucson is asking Tucsonans to look over the proposed projects and indicate their priorities on a new interactive map and to share where they would like the money budgeted to go. 

Check out their online map + share your thoughts:

(1) Project map 

https://movetucsonrecommendations.altaplanning.cloud/storage/app/media/project_lists/Move%20Tucson_%20MAP_Draft%20Prioritization%20Results_20210615.pdf

(2) Project list 
https://movetucsonrecommendations.altaplanning.cloud/storage/app/media/project_lists/MoveTucson_CombinedProjectList.pdf

(3) Step through the different categories and detailed explanations of each (requires javascript) -- https://movetucsonrecommendations.altaplanning.cloud/en#/catalyst-corridor-projects

(4) Survey form (requires javascript that is already set up in most computers) -- https://movetucsonrecommendations.altaplanning.cloud/en#/overview

More Information:

Diana Alarcon shared a presentation on proposed projects and how to navigate the Move Tucson app. 

https://youtu.be/CO4cybvj1lE?t=1185

This is a key moment to help them further prioritize which of the projects is implemented first. Make sure to take the survey and share your thoughts and priorities! Your input helps shape this very important transportation initiative that will guide Tucson's growth for generations to come.

TELL PAG & RTA: ENACT AN INCLUSIVE & GREEN TRANSPORTATION PLAN

Please, call on the Pima Association of Governments (PAG)'s Regional Council & The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA)'s Board of Directors to have an inclusive, green, and just mobility agenda. The people who live and pay taxes in the City of Tucson deserve fair funding & representation, and a regional mobility plan that is reflective of our needs as residents of Tucson. We know that investments that make sense for Tucson and our region include a mobility system that is safe and accessible for people walking and biking; a transit system that includes an electrified fleet and rapid transit; and maintenance of our aging road infrastructure.

Tucson is the third most quickly heating city in the United States. Transportation emissions created are the largest contributor to greenhouse gases. Any regional transportation plan must address issues of climate change, adaptation and resilience. This means we need a focus on alternate modes of transportation as a priority with the following conditions addressed:

• A re-imagined and updated Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) that is reflective of our community and includes members from a wide variety of demographics and perspectives. The current CAC sunset was at the end of May 2021.

• A clear commitment to green transit

• Equitable distributions of funds and projects to Tucson, in particular, the South side of Tucson.

• The voices of the Tohono O'odham Nation and the Pascua Yaqui be represented at every table and decision-making opportunity

• Transparency and decision-making open to the public in tangible, meaningful ways

• Increased transportation choices, improved safety, and investments in maintaining existing infrastructure

• Opportunities for the participation, input and collaboration of Tucson residents beyond the CAC

• Sharing of all public comments and input in their entirety available to all levels of PAG/RTA, administration and the public

• Flexibility and responsiveness to changing traffic patterns, land uses, and emerging technologies that will occur over the life of the plan

WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?

Transportation, Transit and Mobility are among the most critical issues we face today. We have made and continue to make our voices heard by participating in MOVE TUCSON planning. We want a mobility plan for Tucson's future and not a distant past. We need a regional transportation plan, like the RTA Next, that is innovative and inclusive.

Please, sign this petition and share this with your friends. 

https://action.mijente.net/petitions/transporte-verde-y-popular?share=8facb505-157a-4187-910a-275cb90e1f36&source=email-share-button&utm_medium=social&utm_source=actionemail

Time to MOVE TUCSON: Fill out the city's transportation survey and interactive map

All this downtime has given Tucsonans a chance to reflect on how we do things here. When the city shut down, people drove less and air pollution decreased! As soon as the state weakened the stay at home recommendation, air quality got worse. This is a teachable moment!

Join Sustainable Tucson's next virtual Topical Issue Meeting to learn more about the Move Tucson public input process and how you can make your voice heard on a more inclusive transportation plan! 

Tuesday, June 9th, at 6pm

Join with Google Meet: meet.google.com/ehf-xquo-uso

Join by phone‪: +1 252-696-1240‬ PIN: ‪465 615 840‬#

The City of Tucson is preparing a city-wide transportation master plan that will create a mobility blueprint for the City’s future in a rapidly-changing world. The plan will be innovative, creative, and inclusive. By working together, we can commit ourselves to create a mobility future that works for all of us.

How can streets be made safer? How can we expand travel options so more people can walk, bike, or take public transit? How do we improve reliability of travel time, particularly as we grow? You help is needed in shaping the City’s vision and action plan to answer these questions and more. Together, we can create the city we want to be.

The City of Tucson has been hosting town meetings to introduce their mapping app. This app is so cool. You can click on specific areas and add your own suggestions of what should be included there (like sidewalks, biking trails, green infrastructure, shaded bus stops, safer crosswalks, etc.)

Do you know of an area of town that needs any of these features? Do you have your own ideas? This is your chance to share them!

Here is a link to the website with the transportation survey and the interactive map app. 

https://movetucson.org/

The outcome of the planning process will be a document that informs the Mayor and Council’s decisions in the very near future about policy, resources, and how welcoming and livable our city is to visitors, residents, and business owners.

#MoveTucson