Tucson streets may not be paved in gold, however, some of the most heavily used streets will be getting a new coat of asphalt soon.
In May 2022, Tucson voters approved Proposition 411 , which allocated a half-cent sales tax to improve the city’s deteriorating streets.
The effects of that decision are now visible, particularly in the Rincon Heights and Pie Allen neighborhoods near the University of Arizona.
The ongoing street repairs, while causing some traffic issues, are being welcomed by many residents as a long-overdue improvement.
“We live off 10th Street, and it just feels like we’re off-roading in Mexico,” said Rincon Heights resident Lauren McCann, who walks, bikes, and drives the neighborhood’s streets daily.
While the construction has made things more congested, McCann believes the project will be worth the temporary inconvenience. “In the long run, it’ll be worth it,” she said.
James DeGrood, the Proposition 411 Program Manager, explained that the initiative aims to improve every neighborhood street in Tucson.