Sjoberg Evashenk Consulting, Inc. was hired by the Arizona Auditor General to conduct an independent performance audit of the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) for Maricopa County. We reviewed transportation improvement projects and performance outcomes as funded by Proposition 400 (Prop 400), a 2004 Maricopa County voter-passed extension of an existing sales tax that was initially set to expire in 2005. We focused on the implementation and operation of Prop 400 funded freeways, arterials, bus service, and light rail capital projects in addition to performance of the entire transportation and transit system.
We found that, for the most part, MAG and its RTP Partners delivered Prop 400 projects as promised and realized many accomplishments in accordance with revised plans vetted by the appropriate decision makers. In fact, despite funding challenges resulting from the 2008 Great Recession that required the deferral of some projects beyond the Prop 400 horizon, many projects were already delivered as intended and improvements to-date have contributed towards better mobility in the region. The few Prop 400 freeway and roadway projects that remained outstanding as of June 30, 2020 are scheduled to be completed within the general Prop 400 timeframe. While Prop 400 sales tax collections cease on December 31, 2025, funds collected will still be available and used to complete envisioned projects for several additional years.
The full report can be found here.
