MAG News

The stakes remain high as we continue to pursue legislative approval to put the extension of Proposition 400 before voters. MAG recently released a report on the status of the implementation of Prop 400, and the report clearly demonstrates that the projects completed under Proposition 400 are improving the lives of our residents every day.

These transportation improvements mean better access to the places we need to go, whether it’s commuting to work, going to the grocery store, traveling to medical appointments, or hanging out with family or friends. A safe transportation system is critical to ensuring that the goods we need to conduct our daily lives reach their destination, meaning that we can shop for the things that are essential to our well-being or that we simply enjoy.

This is true for every person, no matter where in the Valley you live. In my community of Avondale, we’ve experienced firsthand how Prop 400 impacts our community, with the 2021 opening of the I-10 interchange at Fairway Drive. The project helps support economic development and provides additional capacity in the fast-growing West Valley.  It is a prime example of the need for long-range planning when it comes to capital projects.

Business attraction, expansion and tourism are dependent on a quality transportation system. The extension of Proposition 400 will infuse funding into the state’s economy, save local businesses money through transportation efficiencies, and create a more competitive economic environment. Implementing the plan investments will create more than $40 billion in net new income for the region – equating to $1.6 billion per year.

The improvements will create almost $60 billion in net new economic activity and create and support more than 31,000 net new jobs each year. These are quality jobs, with more than 70 percent falling into medium to high wage thresholds.

The new MOMENTUM plan will cut the average afternoon commute by one-third and reduce congestion by 51,000 hours on critical freight corridors each day, compared to a 2050 no-build scenario. More people (66 percent) will have access to high-capacity transit stops. Perhaps more significantly, these investments will result in a 68 percent reduction in road segments with a failing level of service.

MAG has developed a multimodal plan that will keep the region moving. Without funding for this plan, there will be no new or widened freeways, no new interchanges, fewer new roadways, massive bus transit reductions, and limited economic development. The extension of Prop 400 is not a new tax, it only extends the half-cent sales tax Maricopa County residents have supported since 1985.

It is important that we give the voters the opportunity to decide their transportation future as quickly as possible. MAG’s elected leaders and staff are committed to working with lawmakers now and in the new year to see that happen. I look forward to sharing updates in the near future. In the meantime, I wish all of you happy holidays!