The State Transportation Board adopted the Statewide Transportation Investment Strategy, a comprehensive transportation improvement program for Arizona, as part of the State’s Long-Range Transportation Plan.
"The program ADOT presented to us clearly shows a mind shift when it comes to transportation in Arizona, focusing squarely on sustainability, connecting growth and development with transportation, offering transportation options to our citizens, and protecting our environment,” said State Transportation Board Chairman Si Schorr.
The $42.5 billion Statewide Transportation Investment Strategy was developed by ADOT & its planning partners around the state. The investment strategy allows ADOT to continue to work with local communities to prepare for growth, preserve quality of life & minimize impacts on the natural environment. The investment strategy is available on azdot.gov.
"The investment strategy creates a statewide vision for transportation with diverse solutions for diverse needs,” said ADOT Director Victor Mendez, who has spent the past 6 months traveling the state to provide information on the strategy & listen to comments.
The strategy is based on a list of “Critical Transportation Needs” that was submitted to Gov. Janet Napolitano earlier this year in response to Executive Order 2008-02.
"The Board's action today outlines a comprehensive investment strategy to reduce the time tax we now spend stuck in traffic, away from our homes & families,” said Governor Napolitano. “It will guide how our state grows & reinforce regional, local & private investments.”
The Statewide Transportation Investment Strategy, which currently is not funded, would provide improvements to existing roads, build new roads, develop high-speed & commuter rail, expand transit services, & create a special environmental conservation fund.
"The program addresses necessary forward thinking, such as transit & rail, to move us into our future with less dependence upon gasoline & with transportation options that will reduce the time tax,” said Mendez. “We have received very good input. We are hearing around the state that transportation funding is crucial & that our ability to thrive as a state depends upon improvements to our transportation system.”
The Board’s actions reiterated comments made at statewide public hearings, by both public & private sector representatives, calling for immediate action to address Arizona's transportation funding crisis.
"The Board's ability to reasonably meet statewide transportation demand is seriously hampered by the lack of adequate funding now and in the future,” added Schorr.
As an advisor to the Department with policy powers, the Board will take final action on the strategy if funding becomes available.