For the first time, Arizona's State Transportation Board approved a state rail plan which includes connecting the major metropolitan areas of Phoenix and Tucson by passenger rail. In a state known for its reliance on single-occupant vehicles and its lack of good public transportation, this is a crucial step forward for providing Arizonans with better transportation options.

As the 10th annual Rural Transportation Summit wrapped up last week in Casa Grande, one theme was preached from the podium by many in the private and public sector who spoke: the future of the transportation landscape in Pinal County and all of Arizona will be shaped heavily for decades to come by studies currently under way.

The Maricopa Association of Governments is planning for a long-anticipated population explosion with new freeways and highways in metropolitan Phoenix that would serve an area larger than Delaware and Rhode Island combined.

Maricopa Association of Governments, Arizona Department of Transportation and Valley Metro are holding a public presentation Tuesday to get feedback on proposed changes to a 20-year regional transportation plan to close a $6.6 billion highway funding gap. The changes would affect freeway and transit projects, using money from a voter-approved half-cent sales tax.

The best way to unclog the nation’s highways and repair crumbling bridges is to introduce a payment system similar to movie-ticket pricing and cell-phone rates, the nation’s top transportation official said.

Mesa leaders are asking residents to head online to lend their thoughts on the city’s transportation outlook — input Mayor Scott Smith says is invaluable to creating a plan for the future that suits changing philosophies.

After the Mesa Fire Department responds to an emergency, residents or victims are often in need of follow-up services - from shelter to social services. That's when the department's Connector Program volunteers step in to help put those in need with services that can help them.

State officials are thinking about potential new transportation links in northern Pinal County in south-central Arizona.

Maricopa County transportation director John Hauskins has been honored with a lifetime achievement award from the Arizona Society of Professional Engineers.

Queen Creek residents can learn more about the town’s transportation study at an open house Thursday.

Arizona’s transportation planners want to hear from residents as they map out the future of getting around the state by car, bike and train in the next 20 years.

See the country. Take responsibility for your own load. And have an opportunity to create a dynamic career path.

A new leadership group in Pinal County sees a fastclosing window of opportunity to locate new transportation corridors in the area.

A public-interest law firm wants a federal judge to force lawmakers and the governor to give back the money they took from local transportation programs.

Improvements to Grand Avenue that would alleviate traffic in and out of Surprise, while also providing enhanced economic development by attracting jobs to the city, is among the goals of the two mayoral candidates.

As transportation officials struggle to develop the region's infrastructure in a dismal economy, civic leaders are splitting along a familiar fault line: East Valley vs. Westside.

Gov. Jan Brewer announced that former Congressman Jim Kolbe will serve as co-chairman of the Arizona Transportation and Trade Corridor Alliance. In February, the governor announced the formation of the panel comprised of statewide and local experts in transportation, international trade and energy.

The EPA has rejected Arizona's claim that the Valley's high pollution readings in 2008 were caused solely by dust storms - a judgment that could ultimately result in Arizona losing federal transportation funds.

October 7, 2004

A masked bandit brandishes two six-shooters above the words "highway robbery." Radio ads ask voters whether they should trust two millionaires with county transportation planning.

Jane White kicked her odd mix of addictions a few years ago, telling herself that one slip would return her to a life of smoking or political activism.

SEDONA — Highway 89A between Sedona and Interstate 17 has been reopened after being closed Sunday night and early Monday morning due to heavy snow and ice on the pavement.