Legislators put Valley’s public transit, freeways at risk
Our community, our economy, and our quality of life have thrived because of our past investments in a well-functioning, balanced transportation system.
While other communities in other states have fallen behind, our region has been able to keep up with growth and support a booming economy because of our commitment to our freeway, street and transit infrastructure.
Our success is a testament to our local leaders who understood the critical connection between transportation and our future economy when they came together nearly 40 years ago to pass the Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) and again nearly 20 years later with its continuation.
A plan that's now in peril.
I was proud to play a role in the continuation of the RTP — chairing the Yes on Proposition 400 campaign in 2004. We understood then it was critical to have a multimodal plan to move people, goods and services throughout the Valley in ways to reduce congestion, improve our air quality and build strong communities.
That is why Proposition 400 took a balanced approach and called for new or improved freeways, streets, additional bus routes, additional light rail, additional dial-a-ride and more. Nearly 6 in 10 Maricopa County voters said yes at the polls.
It’s hard to believe that the extension of Proposition 400 was almost 20 years ago, and the existing funding is nearing its expiration.
What’s more difficult to believe, however, is that some members of our state Legislature appear set on rejecting our past success as they debate a potential extension of Proposition 400. Instead, they seem intent on pushing an antitransit agenda that not only lacks the balance to meet our regional needs, but also would likely fail at the ballot box.
First, it is important to note that the plan at the heart of the Proposition 400 extension has gone through an extensive public process. It has been created to not only benefit the entire region, but also to relieve congestion and maintain our air quality. The plan has been unanimously approved by duly elected mayors and reviewed by transportation experts.
Rather than respecting this diligent work by fellow elected officials, state lawmakers are second-guessing the process and insisting that they know what’s best for the region. Namely, they want to gut transit by 85% – significantly destabilizing the region’s transit system, including buses, rapid buses, light rail and paratransit.
Maricopa County is one of the fastest-growing regions in the United States, with increasing congestion. It makes little sense to shrink the allocation to transit from the 2004 plan which has helped us avoid gridlock for the past 20 years.
A plan that fails to address transit will also likely fail an air quality test affecting jobs and opportunities throughout the region.
Defunding transit is also irresponsible from a financial perspective.
While these politicians may not like light rail, the fact is, there are significant federal matching funds dedicated to many of our planned extensions. If they got their way, those dollars would be lost to other cities like Dallas, Denver, Los Angeles, Minneapolis or Salt Lake City, which continue to have active rail projects.
If Arizona lawmakers fail to act because of their continued opposition to public transit – which voters in Maricopa County have supported in at least four elections – it would push transportation needs onto the rest of the state.
More than 6 out of 10 Arizonans live in Maricopa County. Without a local funding source, the county would be forced to lobby for a larger share of federal transportation funds that would cut into resources to meet the needs of the rest of greater Arizona. Which means, there won’t be enough money left to fund everyone’s needs.
Most importantly, if this plan were to move forward lacking the necessary investments to achieve regional balance, it would likely fail at the ballot box. Why would cities like Phoenix, Tempe or Mesa vote to pass a plan that strips their local investments and instead reallocates the resources to the lesser populated suburban areas simply to appease a few legislators?
As much as their constituency wants streets or freeways, our legislators must understand there are other denser urban areas that equally demand transit. That’s how regional cooperation works and how a plan can win voter approval.
More than 40 years of transportation planning and investment have made the Valley one of the most attractive places to start a family and build a business. This is our chance to make sure it stays that way.