Mike Ortega, Executive Director, RTA
Why RTA Next matters to Marana and the region
As someone who has lived, worked, and raised a family in the Tucson area, and my granddaughter attends school in Marana, I’ve seen firsthand how our region has grown, particularly Marana. Families balancing work and school need reliable connections, and community businesses, from aerospace to hospitality, depend on safe and efficient routes to succeed.
As part of the Regional Transportation Authority’s $2.67 billion plan Pima County voters will consider in March, the Marana area will benefit from Interstate 10 interchange improvements at Tangerine Road and Cortaro Road, a new interchange at Moore Road, and safety and bicycle lane upgrades to a portion of Ina Road.
These improvements will reduce the frustration of waiting at railroad crossings, ease congestion and improve connectivity to I-10 as well as for east-west travel, and support freight traffic that is important to a thriving business community.
RTA Next also includes sidewalk and bicycle improvements to support kids walking to school, people crossing busy streets, and bicycle commuters or enthusiasts.
Transit services, which may not be the preferred mode of choice for most people in Marana, still have a place for those who rely on it daily to get to work, medical appointments or the grocery store. RTA Next funding will ensure dial-a-ride/paratransit services continue for those who need it most. Neighborhood transit also connects to Sun Tran to make Marana part of the regional transit network.
RTA transportation investments on corridors such as the Twin Peaks Road/ I-10 Interchange lead to new business development and economic growth as witnessed with the thriving hub of activity which now exists there. RTA Next builds on that success, promising even greater job opportunities and economic returns.
I invite you to stay informed ahead of the important March 2026 decision by visiting rtanext.com, signing up for our newsletter or listening to the RTA Delivers Podcast - Regional Transportation Authority of Pima County.