Maricopa County Voters Invest in Progress: Passage of Proposition 479 Represents a Milestone Reached for Regional Transportation

After years of regional planning and unanimous support from the region’s leaders, Maricopa County voters have chosen continued progress with the passage of Proposition 479, a measure that will continue the dedicated half-cent sales tax for transportation for another 20 years.

First passed in 1985, the dedicated tax has funded critical transportation infrastructure in Maricopa County, including establishing the freeway loop system, building the regional transit system, and expanding the arterial grid street network. These investments have fueled regional mobility and economic growth.

“This is a signature moment for the region. For 40 years, and with the unanimous support of local governments with diverse populations and needs, Valley residents have confirmed their commitment to preserving our transportation infrastructure and investing in our future mobility. Proposition 479 is not just a win for the people of Maricopa County, but a competitive edge for Arizona business,” said Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) Chair and Chandler Mayor Kevin Hartke. “The investments will fund a transportation system to help create more than $30 billion in net new income for the region.”

Proposition 479 is projected to raise nearly $15 billion in revenues over 20 years and, when combined with other federal and state sources, will support a $28 billion transportation program. The plan includes critical projects such as the construction of State Route (SR) 30 in the Southwest Valley, the completion of SR 24 in the Southeast Valley, and needed improvements to Interstates 10 and 17.

“With the passage of Proposition 479, funding will be available for the continued expansion of State Route 24 that is critical to support the booming economic growth in the Southeast Valley,” said Transportation Policy Committee Chair and Queen Creek Mayor Julia Wheatley. “The area expects to see significant growth in population and jobs. With funding from Proposition 479, we can upgrade SR 24 to a full freeway between Loop 202 and Ironwood Drive.”

Improving the quality of life for all in the region was a major focus of the unanimously supported Regional Strategic Transportation Infrastructure Investment Plan. “Phoenicians have made clear once again how vital transportation investments are to their quality of life in the Valley,” MAG Past Chair and Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego said. “Thanks to the half-cent sales tax extension, our region will expand and diversify its transit options, support critical ADA paratransit services, and improve miles of roads, freeways, and more. Phoenix wouldn’t be where it is today without its strong transportation and transit systems, and the passage of Prop 479 ensures we’ll be able to enjoy modern, reliable infrastructure for decades to come.”

Proposition 479 will greatly impact how the greater Phoenix region moves, and when you look at the investments by the numbers, the future planned improvements are striking:

331 new freeway/highway lane miles
134 new HOV lane miles
1,000 new or improved arterial lane miles
More than 28 miles of Bus Rapid Transit

“Thousands of cars and trucks travel on I-10 through the West Valley each day, and with more businesses, advanced manufacturing and employment centers opening up in the area, improving this corridor and having an alternate route to ease congestion is critical,” said MAG Treasurer and Buckeye Mayor Eric Orsborn. “With funding secured through Prop 479, we can begin construction on the Jackrabbit Trail interchange and the SR 30 and bring new opportunities to the West Valley.”

In addition to major freeway construction and expansion, Proposition 479 also includes funding for the rehabilitation of pavement on all freeways and significant investments in new arterial streets safety projects and expanded regional transit services. The investment plan also includes recognition of the changing and future-focused transportation needs of the region, including investment in street rehabilitation and funding for emerging technologies.

“The region, and particularly the West Valley, has played host to many mega events,” said MAG Transportation Policy Committee Vice Chair and Glendale Mayor Jerry Weiers. “Through the continued commitments of voters to invest in our infrastructure and our future, the Valley will be able to stay center stage for decades to come.”

The passage of Proposition 479 also will help the region maintain one of the best average commute times for large cities in the U.S., even as the population and number of jobs continue to grow. Because of the planned investments, the region is projected to keep a 30-minute average commute length in the year 2050, even after adding nearly 2 million more residents – shorter than current commute times in Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, and Seattle.

Chair Hartke noted that while the election may be over, the real work is only beginning. “Reaching the finish line with the passage of Proposition 479 is just the start of the journey. We stand ready to get to work on the promises made to voters and deliver a world-class transportation system that will ensure a vibrant economy and superior quality of life for everyone in the region for decades to come.”