The Arizona Department of Transportation is inviting public comment on its tentative 2027–2031 transportation facilities construction program, a sweeping $9.85 billion proposal that outlines highway, bridge and airport investments across the state.
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The draft plan covers all projects the agency expects to design and construct over the next five years. Officials say the proposal focuses heavily on pavement preservation, bridge rehabilitation and strategic highway expansion. Public feedback will be accepted through May 22.
According to ADOT, $4.1 billion of the plan would fund projects throughout Arizona, including:
Safety and operational improvements include upgraded intersections, enhancements to ports of entry and rest areas, and the integration of smart transportation technologies designed to improve traffic flow and system reliability.
The plan also outlines $2.04 billion for projects developed in partnership with the Maricopa Association of Governments. Those funds are intended to supplement revenue from Proposition 479, approved by voters in 2024.
MAG is currently generating updated revenue projections, establishing project sequencing and revising cost estimates. Those updates are expected later this year and will shape how funds are prioritized across the Phoenix metropolitan region.
In southern Arizona, the proposal allocates $615 million for projects coordinated with the Pimaabwa?. The funding would complement potential revenue from RTA Next, a ballot initiative aimed at extending an existing half-cent sales tax set to expire.
If RTA Next passes, PAG will generate new revenue forecasts and update its Transportation Improvement Program to reflect revised funding and project timelines. Both MAG and PAG updates are anticipated in late spring or summer.
Beyond highways and bridges, the state plan dedicates $178 million to the Airport Capitalcff Improvement Program. Administered in conjunction with the Federal Aviation Administration, the program funds safety, security and capacity upgrades at airports statewide.
That allocation includes improvements at Grand Canyon Airport, which ADOT operates. Funds may support runway improvements, planning studies and other infrastructure enhancements designed to bolster tourism and aviation reliability.
The proposed five-year program reflects Arizona’s ongoing effort to balance system preservation with targeted expansion in high-growth areas. With population growth continuing in Maricopa County and freight corridors playing a vital role in regional supply chains, transportation officials are prioritizing both maintenance and modernization.
Smart technology deployments, port-of-entry upgrades and rest area improvements signal a broader push toward efficiency and traveler experience, while substantial pavement and bridge funding addresses aging infrastructure across rural and urban corridors alike.
Public input during the comment period may influence final adjustments before the program is formally adopted. The finalized plan will guide Arizona’s transportation construction priorities through 2031, shaping roadway conditions, traffic flow and economic mobility across the state.
Originally reported by Liz Carey in Transportation Today News.
