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Leadership, Vision, Action
Transportation is always a major topic of discussion in Arizona, but over the past year the intensity of the discussion in all corners of Arizona has increased to levels that we have never seen. The simple fact is: Arizona’s incredible growth is outstripping our ability to provide transportation infrastructure to handle the traffic generated by that growth. Compounding this are projections that the state population may double in the next 20 years.
Arizona is also working on a statewide plan for public transit including additional bus, transit, and rail facilities throughout the state to add greater capacity for our transportation system. There is increased pressure to find better ways to connect cities, towns and economic regions within the state.
For Arizona, the disconnect between land use and development decisions and our ability to provide needed infrastructure is one of the biggest problems. Through Governor Napolitano’s Growth and Infrastructure Initiative the state will work with cities, towns and tribal communities to develop strategies to coordinate transportation and land use planning at all levels of government.
Our nation as a whole faces the same challenges—population growth and increasing travel demand; inadequate resources to meet those demands; and the challenge of planning development in a way that enables good transportation services.
The transportation system that has been the envy of the world may be surpassed by the world unless we plan and invest now to meet the mobility needs of future generations.
It is a time for leadership, for vision and for action.
Victor Mendez
President
American Association of State
Highway and Transportation Officials
Director, Arizona Department of Transportation
