Prop479

shopping cart with $2 purchase times half-cent sales tax equals $2.01

What is Prop 479?

Prop 479 is the continuation of an existing, dedicated half-cent sales tax in Maricopa County to fund transportation. This dedicated half-cent sales tax was first established by voters in 1985 with the approval of Proposition 300 and subsequently renewed in 2004 with the voters' approval of Proposition 400. Its extension is on the November 5, 2024, Maricopa County ballot. A "yes" vote extends the tax until 2045. A "no" vote will discontinue the tax at the end of 2025.

A 20-year continuation of the tax is projected to generate $14.9 billion in revenues (2020 dollars).

What would Prop 479 do?

The greater Phoenix region has one of the best average commute times of large cities in the U.S. With continued funding, the planned projects included in the investment plan are projected to keep this 30 minute average commute length in 2050 — even with continued population and job growth. That's shorter than the current commute times in Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, and Seattle.

average commute 30 minutes shorter than LA, Chicago, Houston, and Seattle even after adding another 1.7 million people and 900,000 jobs

When compared to a 2050 no-build scenario, the transportation improvements included in the Prop 479 investment plan are projected to:

  • Reduce the average afternoon commute by 1/3 and reduce congestion by 51,000 hours on critical freight corridors each day.
  • Increase the number of amenities within a 30-minute drive by 12 percent.
  • Create $2.4 billion in net new economic activity per year.
  • Save local businesses $1.6 billion per year in travel time savings and reduced shipping/logistics costs.
  • Create and support 31,600 jobs per year, more than 70 percent of which are medium and high wage.

Sources: Economic Analysis of the Proposition 400 Extension, February 2023; 2021 MAG Travel Demand Model

What is in Prop 479?

With technical support from MAG staff, the Transportation Policy Committee (TPC) led the development of the new Regional Strategic Transportation Infrastructure Investment plan ("the plan"). The plan received unanimous support from the TPC and the MAG Regional Council and was found to meet all federal air quality requirements.

It serves as the basis for the transportation investments funded through Proposition 479.

If Proposition 479 is not passed by voters, sales tax collections will expire and all transportation projects, programs and transit service included in the Regional Strategic Transportation Infrastructure Investment Plan are at risk due to a lack of funding.

The interactive map below shows all the projects that will be built under the plan using all funding sources.

If Proposition 479 is approved by voters, 40.5 percent of the sales tax will be allocated to freeways and highways, 22.5 percent to arterial roads and regional transportation infrastructure, and 37 percent to transit.

Funding for the projects and programs in the plan comes from more than just the continuation of the sales tax. State statute requires all funding sources available to the region be used to develop the plan. Combined, $28.2 billion in revenues are projected through 2045 (estimated in 2020 dollars).

The diagram below explains how the revenues in the plan fund projects and programs.

Prop 479 Plan - Revenues and Expenditures
$28.2b
2020 dollars, in billions

 
proposed investment plan by the numbers for MAG regional transportation

Prop 479 is a comprehensive plan for the region's transportation needs, both now and in the future.

Wondering how it all comes together?

Ask a Question
Loading

What is MAG's role?

The federal government requires all areas with large populations to have a designated metropolitan planning organization (MPO) to coordinate transportation planning. Collaborative planning ensures the transportation system works seamlessly across all city and town boundaries. The Maricopa Association of Governments is the designated MPO for the greater Phoenix region.

transportation in MAG region, freeways, arterial streets, and transit

As the MPO since 1973, MAG develops long-range transportation plans that identify what transportation projects are needed, how they are funded, and when they are built. Regardless of who funds it, any regionally significant transportation project must be in the MAG long-range transportation plan.

Transportation decisions are made with extensive input from the public, data driven analysis, and priorities and needs identified by MAG member agencies. MAG member agencies include 27 cities and towns, three Native nations, and individual representatives from Maricopa and Pinal counties.