TUCSON, AZ (June 16, 2025) -- Construction on the City of Tucson’s Grant Road Improvement Project remains on schedule and within budget, offering a timely success story as regional leaders prepare for a renewal of the voter-approved Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) plan.
The project is being delivered in multiple phases over a multi-decade timeline, with Phase 1 starting back in 2009 as part of the original 2006 voter-approved Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) plan. The Grant Road expansion is a centerpiece of the 20-year RTA initiative designed to enhance mobility, safety, and regional connectivity throughout Pima County. Once completed in 2026, the corridor will feature six travel lanes, landscaped median islands, buffered bike lanes, upgraded lighting, and indirect left-turn configurations at major intersections, including Grant and Alvernon.
As of now, Tucson’s Grant Road Improvement Project is in Phases 3 and 4, spanning from Sparkman Boulevard to Swan Road (specifically from Palo Verde to Venice/Alvernon) . These phases began construction around May 20, 2024, and are scheduled for completion in 2026. Phases 5 and 6, which will cover the stretch from Campbell/Country Club to Fremont/Sparkman, are currently in advanced planning and design stages. Utilities clearance is ongoing, with full construction expected to begin in 2026 .
Over the past year, construction crews have focused on underground utility installations, such as storm drains, waterlines, and sewer systems, laying the groundwork for major surface improvements. According to city officials, paving on the west side of the project is scheduled to begin in early July. Traffic will shift to the new pavement by mid-to-late July, allowing work to continue on the east side of the corridor.
“We know during construction it’s impactful for the traveling public, especially on Grant, which is such a busy roadway,” said Erica Frazelle, public information officer for the City of Tucson Department of Transportation and Mobility. “Ensuring motorists are driving that 25 mph speed limit is really important.”
Drivers are advised to expect narrowed lanes, slower speeds, and occasional access restrictions as work progresses. Major closures are planned toward the end of the year, with advance notifications provided to help the public adjust their travel routes. The city continues to emphasize safety for both workers and motorists throughout the corridor.
Notably, the project’s progress has broader implications. It comes at a critical time as the region prepares to vote on the renewal of the RTA half-cent sales tax, which expires in June 2026. The Grant Road project not only demonstrates responsible stewardship of public funds, but it also complies with key RTA delivery mandates, including a requirement that major corridor projects begin construction by July 1, 2026.
Earlier phases of the Grant Road expansion were funded through the existing RTA plan, but the completion of future phases will likely depend on renewed voter support. With an estimated $143 million shortfall remaining across Tucson’s RTA project portfolio, the on-schedule delivery of this project could be instrumental in building trust and momentum ahead of the next RTA vote.
When complete, the Grant Road corridor will significantly enhance east-west connectivity in midtown Tucson, reduce congestion, and improve safety for vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians alike, offering voters a visible reminder of the long-term value that regional transportation investment can deliver.