Ready to Roll: Celebrating Major Transportation Projects across the Region

Two of the Valley’s most high-profile transportation projects are nearing completion, and the week of June 2–7 marks a regional celebration of this long-awaited progress. The Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG), in partnership with regional and local agencies, is launching Ready to Roll Week, a celebration showcasing newly completed infrastructure, key safety improvements, and expanded transit options made possible by Proposition 400.

Key Facts:

Broadway Curve: Construction is wrapping up on the I-10 Broadway Curve Improvement Project, the largest freeway reconstruction effort in Arizona history, with an official opening on Tuesday, June 3.
Secure Your Load Day: Friday, June 6, marks Secure Your Load Day, a part of an ongoing regional campaign aimed at preventing debris-related crashes and enhancing roadway safety.
South Central Extension/Downtown Hub: Saturday, June 7, marks the opening of Valley Metro Rail’s latest expansion of the region’s transit system.
Proposition 400 is a half-cent sales tax dedicated to funding transportation infrastructure in Maricopa County. Initially approved by voters in 1985 with Proposition 300, it was extended in 2004 through Proposition 400 to continue funding for an additional 20 years. With funding set to expire at the end of 2025, voters overwhelmingly approved Proposition 479 in November 2024, continuing collections for another 20 years through 2045.

“These projects represent years of coordinated investment and demonstrate how Proposition 400 continues to deliver tangible improvements to mobility, safety, and quality of life across the region,” said MAG Chair Kevin Hartke. “In the case of the Broadway curve, this is a moment to recognize the advanced engagement, proactive communication tactics, and partnership with the community to ensure the project construction was as minimally intrusive as possible.”

The most recent Annual Report on the Status of Implementation of Prop 400 shows that, thanks to voters’ investment over the past 25 years, Prop 400 has produced more than 410 new corridor miles of freeways, 252 miles of street projects, and millions of additional miles of bus service.

The new South Central Light Rail Extension is coming online, thanks to a funding partnership between the region, through Proposition 400, and the City of Phoenix.

“The upcoming launch of the South Central Extension/Downtown Hub signifies more than just a transit upgrade. It is a significant investment in connectivity and equity,” said Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego, and member of the MAG Transportation Policy Committee. “This new segment of our transit system will connect thousands of people to jobs, health care, and social opportunities in downtown Phoenix.”

Proposition 400 funding has also been utilized to maintain the safety of regional highways. It covers litter pickup and sweeping, as well as the Don’t Trash Arizona program, which has played a crucial role in removing debris from regional freeways and preventing debris-related crashes.

By The Numbers:

Proposition 400 Accomplishments:
440 corridor miles of freeway/highway projects
307 corridor miles of arterial projects
130 million bus transit revenue miles
The I-10 Broadway Curve Improvement Project is the largest freeway reconstruction project in state history, spanning 11 miles of Interstate 10 between the Loop 202 (Santan/South Mountain Freeway) and I-17
The South Central Extension/Downtown Hub is comprised of 5.5 miles of track, eight new stations, and the Downtown Hub
It also provides enhanced mobility options in an area where 44 percent of residents have limited or no access to personal vehicles
Secure Your Load Day, on Friday, June 6th, commemorates the anniversary of Matthew Reif’s death, an Arizona resident who lost his life in a debris-related crash.
Over the past 10 years, there have been an average of nearly 672 debris-related crashes on freeways each year in the region