Touting the potential for economic development and jobs access, U.S. Sen. Martha McSally (R-AZ) sent correspondence to the Department of Transportation (USDOT) last week to urge funding for a rapid transit corridor pilot that would connect Tucson and South Tucson, Az.
The call echoes the cities’ request for $2 million to begin the planning stage of the project. At its end, they want the rapid transit corridor to utilize mixed-use development to integrate business, affordable housing, and increased access for riders, pedestrians, and cyclists. Funding would be provided under the Federal Transit Administration Pilot Program for Transit-Oriented Development.
“As part of this proposal, these resources would allow Tucson to identify improvements in designated Opportunity Zones along the north-south route, leveraging connectivity between the City’s highly successful Sun Link Streetcar project and the Tucson International Airport on the south end,” McSally wrote. “I support these efforts to integrate multimodal transit and advance planning efforts through community partnerships.’
The funding effort builds on previous efforts the Arizona senator has undertaken this year. In October, she was part of the effort to block $1.2 billion in cuts to public transportation funds, including a $15.4 million cut to Arizona transit agencies. She has also been a proponent of greener transportation options, including low or no emission buses in the region and electric shuttles.
In this latest push, she has also pointed to support from the Pima Association of Governments.