Phoenix Celebrates Five Years of Transportation 2050 Accomplishments

S​treet improvements, new bus shelters, extended bus service hours, a new light rail station and more milestones were made possible in the last five years thanks to forward-thinking Phoenicians who voted for Proposition 104 (Transportation 2050​) in August 2015.

A seven-tenths (7/10) of a cent sales tax went into effect in January 2016, funding the Transportation 2050 (T2050) program. T2050 is a 35-year multimodal transportation plan to dramatically expand investment in bus service, light rail construction and operation, and overall mobility and street improvements across Phoenix.

To celebrate these accomplishments, the city has planned a socially distant scavenger hunt ​that can be completed virtually or in person. The city has also released two videos celebrating T2050 achievements.

“This year marks five years of progress under Phoenix’s T2050 plan, and we have a lot to celebrate,” said Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego. “Phoenix is one of the fastest-growing cities in the country and it is critical that we have a multimodal transit system that meets the needs of our residents and helps them thrive. While 2020 was a different year than we expected, the city forged ahead to meet more goals than ever before. We will continue to do so, to ensure robust, inclusive transportation options become a reality in Phoenix.”

Mayor Gallego adds that T2050 also helped position Phoenix for the growth and economic prosperity the city has experienced over the last five years.

“Major employers, site selectors and investors look at factors like transportation and infrastructure when choosing where to locate,” Mayor Gallego said. “We have a long-range vision for mobility and transportation that is supported by our voters and that’s why the Phoenix economy is rebounding faster than other cities.”

Public Participation and Multimedia Content 

• Participate in the T2050 scavenger hunt to experience progress made to date. The scavenger hunt can be completed at home or in person at various sites that were made possible through T2050 funding. Visit phoenix.gov/T2050/FiveYears to learn more and complete the T2050 scavenger hunt. Successful participants in the contest are eligible to win a $150, $100 or $50 donated gift card to the Shop Arizona Marketplace.
• Listen to Mayor Kate Gallego’s comments on the city’s YouTube channel.
• Watch a brief summary of the T2050 key milestones in this two-minute video.
• To be transparent to voters and the traveling public, the city of Phoenix publishes annual progress reports​ detailing how T2050 funds are used to advance transportation and mobility across the city. The reports highlight various taxpayer-funded projects showing that the city is on track to meet its goals. Check out the latest 2020 progress report card on p. 9​ to see the evolution of improvements.

Select Five-Year Bus and Dial-A-Ride Achievements

• Bus and Dial-A-Ride service hours extended to match light rail hours
• Increased frequency on five major bus routes and extended bus routes on five major arterial roads
• Purchased 319 new local buses, 37 RAPID buses, 97 Dial-A-Ride vehicles and three circulator buses
• Installed 321 bus shelter shade structures, 49 bus stops and six bus bays
• Continued providing transportation for essential workers every ​day throughout the pandemic​

Select Five-Year High-Capacity Transit Achievements

• 50th Street Light Rail Station opened in 2019
• Planning underway for high capacity transit between the state capitol and Desert Sky Mall (Capitol Extension/I-10 West Extension)
• Construction underway for the second phase of the Northwest Extension to the Metrocenter region
• Construction underway on the South Central Extension and Downtown Hub
• Public outreach on potential corridors and networks for the Bus Rapid Transit System

Select Five-Year Street Maintenance Achievements

• Added 189 miles of new pavement and applied pavement preservation treatments to 441 additional miles of arterial or major collector roads
• Added 552 miles of new pavement and applied pavement preservation treatment to 1,544 additional miles of minor collector or local streets
• Improved or installed 12,003 ADA-compliant curb ramps
• Replaced 3,331 illuminated street signs
• Installed 2,318 new energy-efficient LED street lights
• Installed 182 miles of new bike lanes
• Installed 166 left-turn arrows

In Aug. 2015, Phoenix voters approved T2050, a 35-year citywide transportation plan. T2050 is overseen by the Citizens Transportation Commission and includes improved frequency on local bus service, new light rail service and stations and major street improvement projects. Funding for T2050 comes from a 7/10ths of a cent city sales tax that started Jan. 1, 2016. Over the life of the plan, the funds are estimated to generate about $16.7 billion, or more than half of the plan’s overall cost. There will be an additional $14.8 billion from federal and county funds, passenger fares and other sources.