Jerrod KingeryOn Election Day, voters across the U.S. were presented with 370 state and local ballot initiatives related to transportation.
77% of those initiatives were approved by voters, and they’re expected to generate $41.4 billion in new and renewed funding for roads, bridges, rail and trails, according to data compiled by the American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA).
ARBTA’s Transportation Investment Advocacy Center (TIAC) tracked funding measures on ballots in 25 states.
23 states approved at least one statewide or local question, TIAC found.
Some of the approved initiatives include:
- Arizona – Maricopa County voters approved Prop 479, which renews a half-cent sales tax to fund transportation initiatives including bus rapid transit and expansion of light rail. It’s expected to generate $14.9 billion in revenue.
- California – San Francisco voters approved Measure L, which would impose a tax on revenue for ride sharing and robotaxi companies. Those funds would be used to support the city’s Muni public transit system of buses, light rail, streetcars and cable cars.
- Florida – Voters in Hillsborough County, which includes the city of Tampa, voted to renew a half-cent sales tax, a portion of which will fund transportation infrastructure.
- Georgia – Forsyth County voters approved the renewal of a Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST), of which 34% is dedicated to roads.
- Tennessee – Voters in Nashville approved the $3.1 billion “Choose How You Move” transit plan that includes a half-cent sales tax increase, which will fund a major overhaul of the city’s bus system, traffic signals and sidewalks.
To see the full list of transportation bonds approved by voters, click here.
Photo by David McElwee
