sept 2009 outlook vol. 8 no. 3 · 2009-08-31 · choice nationally, attracting major companies like...

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Pima Association of Governments | Partnering | Planning | Projecting RTA to manage construction of 40 bus pullouts starting in 2010 The Regional Transportation Authority will manage the construction of 40 bus stops within the City of Tucson under the transit element of the RTA plan. The $7 million cost falls within the $30 million approved for transit corridor bus pullouts in the $2.1 billion RTA plan, approved by Pima County voters in May 2006. “The public expressed strong interest during the public outreach phase for the RTA to expedite bus pullouts as part of the plan,” said RTA Executive Director Gary Hayes. “At this time, less than 14 percent of the bus pullouts have been programmed, and members of the RTA Board expressed an interest in accelerating the work on bus pullouts.” During its July meeting, the RTA Board approved the recommendation by RTA staff to program the dollars. The RTA has executed a cooperative purchasing agreement with the City of Tucson to use its as-needed consultant contracts and job order contracts for construction. Since local jurisdictions are facing budget challenges, the RTA contracted with an engineer to identify the bus stops which had over 100 boardings a day and prepare a comprehensive bus pullout program. The following transit corridors with four or more bus pullouts were identified as part of the program: South Sixth Avenue (8) Alvernon Way (8) Speedway Boulevard (5) 1st Avenue (4) Oracle Road (4) “The bus pullouts along these corridors will enhance overall regional mobility,” said Jim DeGrood, Director of Transportation Services for Pima Association of Governments, which manages the RTA. Construction is expected to begin in early 2010. REGIONAL Sept 2009 Vol. 8 No. 3 Outlook Print PDF & Route to: ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ • Tucson: Community profile • Economic stimulus • 4th Ave. underpass dedication • I-10 widening: Call it a wrap • PascuaYaqui Park & Ride dedication • Sun Shuttle ridership picks up in August • Safe Routes to School • 2nd Annual Bicycle Count • TAZ datasets available • Clean water starts with me! • Live Breathe campaign • Bike Plan update • 2010 Census outreach • Sun Tran ridership outpaces national trends 177 N. Church Ave., Suite 405 Tucson, AZ 85701 (520) 792-1093 phone (520) 620-6981 fax www.PAGnet.org

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Page 1: Sept 2009 Outlook Vol. 8 No. 3 · 2009-08-31 · choice nationally, attracting major companies like La Costeña/Arizona Canning Co. LLC and the Target.com Fulfillment Center. In late

Pima Association of Governments | Partnering | Planning | Projecting

RTA to manage construction of 40 bus pullouts starting in 2010The Regional Transportation Authority will manage the construction of 40 bus stops within the City of Tucson under the transit element of the RTA plan.

The $7 million cost falls within the $30 million approved for transit corridor bus pullouts in the $2.1 billion RTA plan, approved by Pima County voters in May 2006.

“The public expressed strong interest during the public outreach phase for the RTA to expedite bus pullouts as part of the plan,” said RTA Executive Director Gary Hayes. “At this time, less than 14 percent of the bus pullouts have been programmed, and members of the RTA Board expressed an interest in accelerating the work on bus pullouts.”

During its July meeting, the RTA Board approved the recommendation by RTA staff to program the dollars. The RTA has executed a cooperative purchasing agreement with the City of Tucson to use its as-needed consultant contracts and job order contracts for construction.

Since local jurisdictions are facing budget challenges, the RTA contracted with an engineer to identify the bus stops which had over 100 boardings a day and prepare a comprehensive bus pullout program. The following transit corridors with four or more bus pullouts were identified as part of the program:

• SouthSixthAvenue(8)

• AlvernonWay(8)

• SpeedwayBoulevard(5)

• 1stAvenue(4)

• OracleRoad(4)

“The bus pullouts along these corridors will enhance overall regional mobility,” said Jim DeGrood, Director of Transportation Services for Pima Association of Governments, which manages the RTA.

Construction is expected to begin in early 2010.

REGIONAL

Sept 2009Vol. 8 No. 3

OutlookPrint PDF &

Route to:____________________

____________________

____________________

____________________

____________________

See Inside:• Tucson:Community

profile• Economicstimulus• 4thAve.underpass

dedication• I-10widening:

Call it a wrap• PascuaYaquiPark&

Ride dedication• SunShuttleridership

picks up in August• SafeRoutestoSchool• 2ndAnnualBicycle

Count• TAZdatasetsavailable• Cleanwaterstarts

with me!• LiveBreathecampaign• BikePlanupdate• 2010Censusoutreach• SunTranridership

outpaces national trends

177 N. Church Ave., Suite 405 Tucson, AZ 85701(520) 792-1093 phone (520) 620-6981 faxwww.PAGnet.org

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PAG Regional Council

Lynne Skelton PAGCHAIR Mayor of Sahuarita

Ned Norris Jr. PAG VICECHAIRChairman of TohonoO’odhamNation

Jennifer Eckstrom PAG TREASuRER Mayor of South Tucson

Ed Honea Mayor of Marana

Robert ValenciaVice Chairman of PascuaYaquiTribe

Paul Loomis MayorofOroValley

Ramon Valadez Pima County Board of Supervisors

Robert Walkup Mayor of Tucson

S.L. Schorr Arizona State Transportation Board Representative

Gary G. Hayes EXECUTIVEDIRECTOR

Pima Association of Governments

CommuNiTy PRofiLE: CiTy of TuCSoNPopulation: 543,959(Source:ArizonaDepartmentofCommerce,est.2008)

Size: Tucsonisapproximately195squaremiles(citylimits).Elevationsrangefromaround2,400feetabovesealevelneartheairporttonearly3,500inthefoothillswhichborder nearby mountain ranges.

Location: Tucson is located in Pima County. The cityisabout50milesnorthoftheU.S.-Mexicoborder and is just over 32 degrees in latitude.

Community landmarks: Tucson has the distinction of being surrounding by five mountain ranges — Santa Catalina, Rincon, Tucson, Tortolita and Santa Rita. A mild, high desert environment and numerous outdoor activities create one of the most balanced living/working environments in the country.

Withinthecitylimitsarelandmarksandattractions such as “A” Mountain, Pima Air and Space Museum, the nationally accredited Reid

ParkZoo,TucsonRodeoParadeMuseum,TucsonMuseumofArt&HistoricBlock,TucsonChildren’sMuseum,andtheTucsonBotanicalGardens.

TucsonisthelocationfortheUniversityofArizona,whichwasestablishedin1885asthefirst college in the Arizona Territory. The school is well known for its world-class faculty in fields such as astronomy, plant science, biomedical science, business, law, music and dance. The city is also home to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, which is nationally recognized for its jet and helicopter pilot training.

Economy: Continuing in-migration of people positively impacts the local economy and translates directly into increased labor availability. Tucson is rapidly becoming a location of choicenationally,attractingmajorcompanieslikeLaCosteña/ArizonaCanningCo.LLCandthe Target.com Fulfillment Center.

Inlate2006,theTucson/greaterPimaCountyareareached1millioninhabitants.Thismilestone helps elevate Tucson to being a national player, attracting major corporations, retailers, restaurants, arts, theater and a host of other services to the area.

Theregion’sstrategiccentralSouthwesternlocationservesasamanufacturing,transportation and distribution center for Mexico, California and the central/western UnitedStates.Withprosperingbusinessfromworld-classtravelandtourismtoagrowingpresence of “clean and green” manufacturing, the Tucson region is emerging as a major industrial center. High-tech and manufacturing also are on the rise, along with the aerospace, solar, bioscience, and transportation and logistics industries.

Transportation-related highlights: TheTucsonDepartmentofTransportation(TDOT)oversees maintenance and reconstruction of nearly 4,400 lane miles of streets, more than 500milesofbikepaths,andhundredsofdrainagestructures,publicartpieces,streetlightsandsigns,andtrafficsignsandsignals.TDOTalsooperatesthecity’stransitservices,Sun Tran and Sun Van, and partnered with the Arizona Department of Transportation for the3½-yearInterstate10expansionproject.

TDoT projects include:

• the recently completed 4th Avenue underpass Project, a $46 million connection betweenthe4thAvenue/UniversityofArizonaareaandtheeastendofTucson’sdowntown, providing one lane in each direction for vehicle and streetcar traffic, separate bicycle lanes and two pedestrian ways accessible for persons with disabilities

• the upcoming El Paso and Southwestern Greenway, a 6-mile multi-use path for bicyclists and pedestrians, extending from north of downtown Tucson through the City of South Tucson to the Kino Sports Complex

• the five-mile widening of Grant Road, one of the first new projects to be funded through the voter-approved, half-cent sales tax that funds the Regional Transportation Authority Plan. The project will feature comprehensive streetscape and infrastructure improvements and adjacent property redevelopment strategies

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The opening of the 4th Avenue underpass, reconnecting downtown to 4th Avenue and the university of Arizona, drew more than 1,000 people on Aug. 20.

SpeakersatthededicationincludedTucsonMayorBobWalkup,TucsonCouncilmemberNinaTrasoff,PimaCountyBoardofSupervisors’ChairmanRichardElias,PimaAssociationofGovernments’RegionalCouncilChairLynneSkelton,UniversityofArizonaPresidentRichardSheltonandotherelected and business officials.

The new $46 million underpass features one travel lane in each direction carrying vehicle and trolley traffic, separate bicycle lanes and two lighted, pedestrian ways accessible for persons with disabilities.

The structure includes a water fountain, an elevator, photo mosaic tile, landscaping and elevated walkways.

The old trolley makes the maiden voyage on the Modern Streetcar tracks.

more than 1,000 attend 4th Avenue underpass dedication3

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Economic Stimulus updatePresidentObamasignedtheAmericanRecoveryandReinvestmentActof2009(ARRA)intolawonFebruary17,2009.PAGbeganworktoidentifyneededprojectsthatwouldqualifyforARRAfundingevenpriortopassageofthebill.Asaresult,PAGsuccessfullyobtainedover$98.8millionin new funding for state and local transportation projects within the region. Projects were identified in each of the local jurisdictions and tribal governments within the PAG area.

ARRAincludesextensiverequirementsformonitoringandreportingontheprogressoftheprojects.Tofacilitatethisrequirement,PAGpreparedasectiononitsWebsitewhereeachjurisdictionsubmitsstatusinformation.This information is compiled and submitted monthly to the Arizona DepartmentofTransportation(ADOT)tobeincorporatedintoareportontransportationprojectsstatewide.ADOTisresponsibleforrequiredsubmittalstotheFederal Highway Administration and the u.S. Congress.

Near-termjobcreationwasakeyobjectiveoftheARRAprogramandprojectsarerequiredto be delivered on an expedited timeframe.

The earliest deadlines applied to state projects.Consequently,asofAugust2009,over 77 percent of the state system projects in our region had been put out to bid:• ADOT-I-10:MarshStationTraffic

Interchange:$18,000,000• ADOT-I-10:RitaRoadtoHoughton-ARRA-PavementPreservation:

$6,000,000• ADOT-SR86:BrawleyWashSegment:$5,000,000

• ADOT-SR86:KinneytoLaCholla:$3,500,000• ADOT-SR86:MP73.9-77.4:$3,327,000• ADOT-SR86:SantaCruzRiverBridge#528:$200,000ThefirstoftheprojectsonthelocaltransportationsystemwillbebidbySeptember2009. All the remaining state and local system projects should be under way by March 2010.• ADOT–I-10FreewayManagementSystemPhase2B:$9,100,000• ADOT-I-19:SignReplacement:$1,500,000• Marana–PavementPreservationPackageARRA:$3,700,000• OroValley–PavementPreservationPackageARRA:$3,000,000• PascuaYaquiTribe–PavementPreservationPackageARRA:$500,000

•PimaCounty-HohokamMiddleSchoolBicycle&Pedestrian Project:$575,000•PimaCounty–PavementPreservationPackageARRA: $7,469,000• Pima County - Sabino Canyon Rd. Bridge: $600,000•Sahuarita–PavementPreservationPackageARRA:$3,000,000•SouthTucson–PavementPreservationPackageARRA: $1,000,000•TohonoO’odhamNation-PavementPreservationPackage– ARRA:$2,500,000• Tucson - Armory Park/Santa Rita Park Enhancement Project: $276,000•Tucson–PavementPreservationPackageARRA:$7,107,000•Tucson–RR&R–FY08–TEA21#3B:$6,000,000

• Tucson-South4thAveStreetscapeEnhancementProject:$514,000• TucsonTransit-Administrative&MaintenanceFacility:$16,022,390

A multi-use path and steel enclosure over the underpass on the north side connects to the Rattlesnake and Basket Bridges. An elevated pedestrian walkway provides pedestrian access from the historic depot to the public plaza development planned for the area surrounding the intersection of Congress Street.

Thisregionallysignificantprojectincludes$40.9millioninregionalfundsthroughPima Association of Governments and another $3.6 million from the Regional Transportation Authority for streetcar track and electrification.

The addition of modern streetcar service will be funded partly by the RTA under the 20-year RTA plan approved by voters in May 2006. The streetcar system will include sevenvehicles,whichwillmake18stopsalongthe3.9-mileroutebetweentheMercadoDistrictonthewestsideofInterstate10andtheUniversityHealthSciencesCenter.Thetotalcostfortheinstallationofthestreetcarserviceisestimatedat$150million. The streetcar project is managed by the City of Tucson.

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REGIONAL Outlook September 2009

RegionalOutlookisproducedbyPima Association of Governments (PAG) to promote sharing among PAG member jurisdictions and a greater understanding of regionally significant activities, resources and services. PAG invites submissions about items of interest. Please send your submissions to [email protected].

JuRiSDiCTioN NEWSADoT wraps up i-10 widening project

TheInterstate10wideningprojectbetweenPrinceRoadand29thStreetwas scheduled to open in early September, well ahead of its original opening schedule of 2010.

TheArizonaDepartmentofTransportation(ADOT)wasinthefinalstagesof improvements just prior to publication. All eastbound and westbound entranceandexitrampsandalllanesofI-10betweenPrinceRoadand29thStreetarescheduledtoopen,andfinalpavingisscheduledtobecompleted early this month.

OpeningofI-10Lanes,RampsandCross-Streets:

• EastboundandWestboundI-10Ramps–AlthoughentranceandexitrampsalongeastboundandwestboundI-10arescheduledtoopenbyearly September, individual ramps may need to be closed periodically forlandscapingthroughNovember.

• I-10TravelandAuxiliaryLanes–ThenewI-10travelandauxiliarylanes are scheduled to be open by early September.

• LocalCross-StreetAccess–Allcross-streetsareopenandGranadaAvenue/CushingStreetand18thStreetarescheduledtoopenbyearlySeptember.

•TrafficPatternsandConditionsAfterCompleteRampandI-10Opening OnI-10,motoristshaveaccesstofourlanesineachdirectionwith

an auxiliary lane between ramps and 16 new bridges/underpasses for sevencrossstreets:GrantRoad,SpeedwayBoulevard,St.Mary’sRoad,CongressStreet,GranadaAvenue/CushingStreet,18thStreetand22ndStreet.Thespeedlimitis65mph.

Onthefrontageroads,motoristshaveaccesstotwolanesineachdirection with yield signs at the points where exit-ramp traffic enters thefrontageroads.Thespeedlimitis45mph.

•TransitioningtoNewTrafficPatterns–Thepublicshouldexpectatransition period while motorists adjust to new traffic patterns. Please exercise patience, caution and courtesy.

• FinalConstructionWorkandCompletion–ThelandscapingandfinalconstructionworkremainingafterthefullopeningofI-10isanticipatedtobecompletedbytheendofOctober.Untilthen,thepublic will continue to be informed of temporary ramp closures and traffic impacts through weekly traffic alerts, updates and the project Website.

• InterimTrafficOperationsCenter(ITOC)–TheITOCwillcontinuetobeinoperationunderADOTdirection.

• ToStayInformed–Thepublicmaycontinuetocheckoncurrenttraffic impacts online or by phone. For online updates, go to www.i10tucson.comortwitter.com/I10tucson.TheI-10Hotlinenumberis(520)327-6444ortoll-free1-877-961-1010.

TheI-10wideningprojecthasbeencompletedfaraheadofscheduleandwithinbudget.ADOTgratefullyacknowledgesthepatience,cooperationand support of the City of Tucson, the community at large and its many other partners during the largest highway transportation project in southern Arizona history to date.

I-10 at 22nd St. during early construction.

I-10 at 22nd St. after construction.

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REGioNAL TRANSPoRTATioN AuTHoRiTy

The new Sun Shuttle neighborhood transit circulator service, which was introduced in May by the Regional Transportation Authority, made significant improvements in the month of August.

ThetransitservicewasimplementedinthecommunitiesofMarana,OroValley, Catalina, Sahuarita and Green Valley.

During its introductory month, Sun Shuttle offered a free fare and collected comments and suggestions in June and July.

Based on input from the community, Sun Shuttle routes are now providingmorefrequentserviceandconvenientconnectionstotheSunTran system. Additional changes to the system include the ability to use all valid Sun Tran passes to board Sun Shuttle routes and the introduction of the Sun Connect pass, allowing Sun Shuttle riders a free transfer to connecting Sun Tran routes.

Based on data collected thus far, the changes have been a success and it is anticipated that during the month of August Sun Shuttle will break its monthly ridership record since the introduction of fares. “The increased ridership illustrates that we are moving in the right direction but there is still a lot ofworktoreachtheridershipgoalswehavefortheseservices,’”saidRTAExecutiveDirectorGaryHayes.

IllustratingourcommitmenttothesuccessofSunShuttleservices,theRTAwillconductopenhousesthisfallinselectshuttleserviceareastosharepossibleserviceimprovementsandalternativesthatmaybettermeettheneedsofneighborhoodresidents.Inputfromresidentswillbeincorporatedintoimprovementsthatareanticipatedinthefirstquarterof2010.

For more information, visit www.suntran.com and follow the Sun Shuttle link.

Sun Shuttle ridership picks up in August

RTA, Pascua yaqui dedicatenew park-and-ride and bus stopSun Tran is providing service to a new park-and-ride and bus stop at Casino del Sol, making

transit a new travel option for employees, neighbors and customers of the casino and the Anselmo Valencia Amphitheater.

Thepark-and-rideisthefirstforthePascuaYaquiTribeand the 6th park-and-ride lot installed in the region with funding from the Regional Transportation Authority.

OfficialsfromtheRTA,PascuaYaquiTribe,CasinodelSol,Pima County and Sun Tran celebrated the new facility

with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Aug. 24.

The RTA was able to extend bus service and construct the parking lot due to additional funding support from

thePascuaYaquiTribeandCasinodelSol,allowingSunTrantoimplementRoute27servicetothe casino more than three years ahead of schedule.

The RTA plan, which was approved by Pima County voters in May 2006, is funded by a half-cent sales tax.

The new park-and-ride provides over 100 parking spaces and is located in the northern area of the AVA parking lot.

The bus stop has a shaded cover, a water fountain, solar-powered lighting and a bicycle rack.

RTA PRojeCT STATuSThRouGh AuGuST 2009

TotalNumberofRTABoard Approved Projects ............................. 307ProjectsInDevelopment ................... 107Projects under Construction ................. 36RTA Projects Completed ................... 114TransitProjectsImplemented ............. 12Excise Tax Collections ... $208.8 million

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2nd annual bicycle count Pima Association of Governments is gearingupfortheregion’ssecondannual bicycle count which will take placeOct.27-29.PAGcoordinatesthe annual regional bicycle count to document the number of people currently cycling, monitor how that number is changing over time, help prioritize improvements and find locations needing attention, and identify locations unsafe to cyclists and in need of safety improvements.

Wewillonceagainlookforvolunteersto assist us by taking a designated locationtocountcyclists.Ifyouare interested in volunteering or havequestionsaboutthebicyclecount, contact Ann Chanecka, PAG TransportationPlanner,[email protected]

TAZ datasets available online PimaAssociationofGovernments’PopulationTechnicalAdvisoryCommitteeapprovedthe2005and2040socioeconomicTAZdatasetsatitsMaymeetingforusein developing the 2040 Regional Transportation Plan.

These datasets are one of the more important inputs in the PAG travel model, and they took approximately two years to put together. PAG Technical Services staff and PAG-member jurisdiction planning departments provided input and review.

The datasets, methodology and associated maps are availableonthePAGWebsiteathttp://www.pagnet.org/RegionalData/Maps/MapsandGISdownloads/tabid/902/Default.aspx.

Although their primary use is for the RTP process, they are often downloaded for other infrastructure and capital planning. The datasets contain over 40 socioeconomic variables relating to population, employment, and housing characteristics at a sub-county geography.

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Safe Routes to School applications to be released

SafeRoutestoSchool(SRTS)cyclefour grant applications will be released in mid-September. The SRTS programs aim to improve the health and well-being of children by encouraging them to walk and bicycle to school and by improving the safety conditions around schools.

Competitive grant funds are available for both infrastructure projects and education programs. Any elementary, middle school or non-profit organization in the region may apply for funding. For more information about the SRTS grant program, contact Ann Chanecka, PAGTransportationPlanner,[email protected]

‘Clean Water Starts With me’ is monsoon messageWhenpeoplethrowtrashinthestreets,itcanwashawaywithstormwaterflowstoourwashesduringthemonsoonseason.

Inordertohelpthepublicunderstandtheimpactofstormwaterpollutiononourfragiledesertwashesandhowtopreventit,PimaAssociationofGovernmentsanditsStormwaterManagementWorkingGroupestablishedthe“CleanWaterStartsWithMe”outreachcampaignwithbillboards,buscardsandbrochures.

Thisisthesecondyearforthe“CleanWaterStartsWithMe”message,whichwaspromotedinJulyandAugustwithaseriesofadvertisements.Thestormwaterpollution prevention outreach campaign has been launched on an annual basis since 2003, during every monsoon season.

“The outreach efforts coordinated by PAG and the member jurisdictions have produced widespread positive effects oncommunities,businessesandtheenvironment,”saidMarcHermanofthePimaCountyStormWaterProgram.

The campaign provides several tips for businesses and residents such as:

•FixYourLeakyVehicle•Don’tBeaLitterBug•PickUpWhereYourDogLeftOff•UseCarwashesWhenWashingyourCar•UseandStoreYardChemicalsSafely ThecampaignalsohelpsPAG’smemberjurisdictionsfulfilltheirstormwaterpermitrequirements.

“The Town of Marana appreciates that PAG brings all of the jurisdictions together to provide a consistent messagethroughouttheentirecommunityontheimportanceofstormwaterqualityinthisregion. This program helps us meet our permit obligations to ADEQ as well as provides helpful tips on

preventing stormwater pollution to our community,” said Jennifer Christelman, Manager of the Town of Marana Environmental Engineering Division.

VisitPAGstorm.comformoreinformationonreducingstormwaterpollutionortoviewthe2009campaignbrochure.

“InTucson,rainfalloccursinsuddenbursts,particularlyduringthemonsoonseasonandtransportsoil,greaseandtrashorotherdebristoourfragile desertwashes,”saidMaliniBanerjee,SeniorWatershedPlannerforPAG.“Asresidentsofadesertcommunity,itisourresponsibilitytoprotectour washes and keep our waters clean.”

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Regional Plan for Bicycling

TUCSON

2009

Regional Plan for Bicycling

bike Plan updatePima Association of Governments has completed an update to the Regional Plan for Bicycling and will submit the plan to the PAG Regional Council this month.

Theplandocumentshowtheregionhasprogressedfromthefirsteightmilesofbikewaysin1971toover700milesofbikeways(centerlinemiles).Theplansetsforthactionsthattheregion’sjurisdictionscantakeoverthenext 20-plus years to address both existing and evolving needs.

APlanAdvisoryTaskForce(PATF)andBicyclePlanUpdateProjectTaskForce(BPUPTF)workedwithstafftodevelop the plan and its project list. The PATF and BPuPTF represented bicycle interests in the region and included participation from members of the Tucson-Pima County Bicycle Advisory Committee, staff from PAG-member jurisdictions, local school districts, the university of Arizona, and the Arizona Department of Transportation.

In2008and2009,theBPUPTFdevelopedalistofapproximately250programsandprojectsidentifiedtofacilitatebicycling as a viable and friendly alternate mode of transportation in our region. Projects were prioritized into 10-, 20-, and 30-year implementation groups. Approximately 700 additional miles of signed bike routes, bicycle boulevards,bikelanesandshared-usepathswereidentifiedatanestimatedcostofover$450million.

Many positive developments for bicycling in this region have occurred during the period covered by the last 30-plusyearsofregionalbicycleplans.In2006andagainin2008,theLeagueofAmericanBicyclists(LAB)recognizedtheTucson-PimaEasternRegionasaGoldLevel“BicycleFriendlyCommunity,”thefirstandonlysuchregionaldesignation in the united States.

BicyclingMagazinehasrankedtheCityofTucsonasthe2ndbestbicyclingcityintheUnitedStatesin1995,1999and,morerecently,in2006.TheCityofTucson,PimaCounty,OroValley,andPAGallhavefull-timestaffworkingonbicycleissues.Also,theTucsonPoliceDepartmentnowdedicatesofficerwork-hours specifically toward the targeted enforcement of bicycle laws, both for motorists and cyclists, in areas of the city with high levels of bicycling. There are also a variety of active, involved citizens, bike clubs and advocate groups working to support and improve cycling in this region.

A growing emphasis on regional coordination and regional solutions has accelerated progress toward meeting the multi-modal transportation needs of our citizens. The Regional Transportation Authority plan and half-cent sales tax passed by voters in 2006 included substantial levels of funding for bicycle projects as well as vital roadway and transit improvements.

As the regional planning agency, PAG has been a leader in bringing together diverse groups, interests and jurisdictions and has initiated major new work efforts to improve decision-making.

Most recently, PAG established an annual regional bicycle count program to collect data on rider numbers and characteristics. PAG also initiated an annual regional bicycle crash analysis that examines types of crashes and their locations to help identify where and what types of improvements may be needed.

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Live breathe campaignPimaAssociationofGovernmentscompleteditsLiveBreatheCleanAircampaigninJuly.However,everyonecancontinuetotakemeasurestohelpkeeptheregion’sairclean.

Bydrivinglessorsharingtheride,fillingupyourvehiclewithgasafter5p.m.orgrillingwithoutlighterfluid,people can reduce emissions that harm the ozone.

ThecampaignwasconductedatthedirectionofPAG’smemberjurisdictionsinresponsetochangesinozonestandards set by the u.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Currently,theregionisinattainmentandgenerallyexperiencesgoodairquality.Thestrengthenedozonestandards, however, place the Pima County region closer to a level of nonattainment.

Aclassificationofnonattainmentcouldresultinseveralcostlyconsequencesforbusinessesandresidents.These might include:

• Stricter regulatory controls to reduce pollutant levels

• Requirementsforconsumerstousedifferentfuels• Additional monitoring and paperwork

Formoreinformationaboutthecampaign,pleasevisitwww.LiveBreatheCleanAir.com.

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PAG gears up for 2010 Census public outreach

Pima Association of Governments will coordinate 2010 Census public outreach for the region and has established a Complete Count Committee. The first official meeting of the CCCwillbeonOct.21inthemainconferenceroomonPAG’sfifthfloor.

TheCCCwillhavefoursubcommittees:Education,Community-BasedOrganizations,Businessand Media.

The CCC is made up of representatives from PAG-member jurisdictions, community-based organizations, educational facilities, chambers of commerce, the real estate community and the media.

Joyce Finkelstein, a representative of Green Valley and the Green Valley Community Coordinating Council,ischairoftheCCC,andJuneWebb-Vignery,executivedirectoroftheMetropolitanEducationCommission, is vice chair of the CCC.

Subcommitteechairsinclude:LouisAlbert,MetropolitanEducationCommission,EducationSubcommittee; Robert Medler, Tucson Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, Business Subcommittee; JoyWilcox,PrimaveraFoundation,Community-BasedOrganizationsSubcommittee;SamNegri,PimaCounty, Media Subcommittee

The role of the CCC and its subcommittees is to reach out to hard-to-count populations in Pima County to encourage everyone to fill out and return their census forms, which will be mailed to households in February and March. Hard-to-count populations include the homeless, low-income families and non-English speaking individuals.

TheCensusisconductedevery10yearstohelpdetermineourregion’sshareoffederaldollars,toguide local decision-makers in community planning efforts and to determine apportionment of congressional seats assigned to each state.

ThelocalCensusBureauwillestablishQuestionnaireAssistanceCenters,wherethe10-questioncensusformwillbeavailableandquestionscanbeaddressed.

Informationcollectedonthecensusformsremainsconfidential.

Census Day is April 1, 2010. For updates and additional information on local census activities, please visit www.PAGnet.org.

Promotion at PAG

Don Freeman has been promoted to Technical Services Coordinator from Special Projects Manager at Pima Association of Governments. Freeman joined PAG in 2000 after

servingasTransportationDirectorforTMACOG(ToledoMetropolitanAssociationCouncilofGovernments)inToledo,Ohio.

SincejoiningPAG,hehasbeenTIP(TransportationImprovementProgram)Programming Manager and Special Projects Manager and has authored several systems to organize and manage data, including the popular traffic count manager software and MainStreet contacts manager.

He has managed or assisted with several regional planning studies including the Southeast Area Arterial Study and Regional Mobility Systems Study.

Currently, he is managing the update to the Standard Specifications for Public ImprovementsdocumentusedbyPAG-memberjurisdictionswhentheydesign&build public infrastructure.

JuRiSDiCTioN NEWSSun Tran ridership outpaces national trends

Transit ridership around the country has been on the rise since 2004.Withthecurrenteconomicclimate,morepeopleareusingtransit services in their community, thus increasing ridership significantly during this past year.

TheAmericanPublicTransportationAssociation(APTA)reportsacalendar-yearincreaseofnearly5percentfortransitsystemswithridershipof500,000tonearly2millionpassengertripsperyear.

APTA reports two contributors in ridership reaching these record numbers. More than half of vacationers look for ways to cut travel costs by using the city’slocalpublictransportationsystem.Also,it’sbeenhighlypublicizedthatindividualscansavemorethan$9,000ayearbyridingtheirlocalpublictransitsystem.

Withserviceenhancementssuchasextendedweeknightandweekendhours,

additional routes serving outlying communities and amenities such as new busesandpark-and-ridelots,SunTran’sridershipgrowthcontinuestooutpacethe national trend.

These improvements, which have been phased-in since 2006 with funding provided by the Regional Transportation Authority, have helped to lure new riders and retain current customers. Sun Tran experienced an 11.2 percent increaseinridershipforfiscalyear2008-2009overthepreviousfiscalyear,andanastounding45percentincreasesince2002.

“Oncepeoplegivetransitatry,theyrealizehoweasy,cost-effectiveandconvenientitis,”saidKatrinaHeineking,SunTranGeneralManager.“Weoftenreceive positive comments from passengers. For example, recently a Sun Tran passengercalledourCustomerServiceCentertosay,‘Ilovetakingthebus!It’sbeenafantasticexperienceandsuchamoneysaver.’”8

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