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5 Major Projects That Are Reshaping Tucson: Inside The 2025 DTM Infrastructure Overhaul

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The City of Tucson Department of Transportation and Mobility (DTM) is currently executing one of the most ambitious infrastructure overhauls in its recent history, focusing on a multimodal future that prioritizes not just cars, but also bicycles, pedestrians, and public transit. As of December 2025, the DTM is actively managing a portfolio of capital improvement projects—from massive road widenings to intricate downtown redesigns—all aimed at enhancing safety, reducing congestion, and improving the overall quality of life for residents and visitors.

This deep dive explores the key initiatives, leadership, and long-term vision driving Tucson’s transportation evolution, ensuring the city's infrastructure is ready to meet the demands of a growing population and the goals outlined in the updated Plan Tucson 2025.

DTM Leadership and Organizational Profile (2025)

The Department of Transportation and Mobility (DTM) is the core agency responsible for planning, designing, building, operating, and maintaining Tucson's transportation network. Its mission extends beyond traditional road maintenance to encompass a holistic approach to urban mobility.

  • Official Name: City of Tucson Department of Transportation and Mobility (DTM)
  • DTM Director: Samuel A. Credio, P.E.
  • Director's Background: Mr. Credio is an alum of the University of Arizona with a bachelor's degree in civil engineering, bringing a strong technical and local perspective to the role.
  • Core Focus: Enhancing Tucson's infrastructure to create safer, smoother, and more accessible streets for everyone, aligning with the "Complete Streets" philosophy.
  • Key Divisions: Traffic Engineering, Engineering and Construction Management, and the Bicycle & Pedestrian Program.

The 5 Biggest Transportation & Mobility Projects of 2025

The DTM’s current project list reflects a significant investment in both major arterial corridors and neighborhood-level mobility improvements, largely funded through local and regional initiatives like the Regional Mobility and Accessibility Plan. These projects are shaping the daily commute for thousands of Tucsonans.

1. The Grant Road Improvement Project: Widening and Modernization

The ongoing Grant Road Improvement Project remains one of Tucson’s most significant and long-term infrastructure efforts. It is a multi-phase initiative focused on widening the corridor to six lanes, adding new drainage, and improving bicycle and pedestrian facilities.

  • Current Focus Area: The segment between Sparkman Boulevard and Swan Road is a major area of activity.
  • Construction Activity: Crews are actively constructing underground infrastructure, which includes utilities and drainage improvements, causing some traffic alerts and detours.
  • Goal: To significantly reduce congestion and improve safety along this critical east-west corridor.

2. Valencia Road Widening (Kolb to Houghton)

This massive four-mile project is transforming a key southern arterial. The scope involves widening Valencia Road to a six-lane roadway, which is crucial for handling increased traffic volume in the area.

  • Scope: Includes drainage improvements, new bicycle and pedestrian facilities, and traffic signal upgrades to improve flow and safety.
  • Impact: This project is a major component of the region’s long-term plan to accommodate growth on the city's south and east sides.

3. The Downtown Links Project

A vital connection project, Downtown Links is designed to link Interstate 10 with the downtown core, improving access and relieving congestion on local downtown streets. This project is a major piece of the city's economic development and mobility strategy.

  • Status: The project has been a long-running effort with updates continuing through late 2025, signifying its complex and high-priority nature.
  • Entity Collaboration: This project involves coordination with multiple entities to integrate seamlessly with the existing urban landscape and historic areas.

4. Toole Avenue Complete Streets Redesign

In a partnership with Rio Nuevo, the DTM is executing a holistic redesign of Toole Avenue from Congress Street to Stone Avenue. This project is a prime example of the city’s commitment to its Complete Streets Policy, adopted in February 2019.

  • Complete Streets Approach: The redesign focuses on creating a corridor that is safe and accessible for all users—drivers, transit riders, cyclists, and pedestrians—not just vehicular traffic.
  • Location Significance: This project is critical for improving mobility and urban vitality in the downtown and warehouse arts district.

5. 1st Avenue Improvement Project

The 1st Avenue Improvement Project is another key arterial upgrade that was highlighted in the October 2025 DTM news releases. Arterial improvements like this are essential for maintaining the structural integrity and capacity of the primary road network.

  • Focus: These types of projects typically include pavement rehabilitation, utility work, and improvements to intersection safety and signal timing.
  • Goal: To provide a smoother, safer experience for the high volume of traffic that uses 1st Avenue daily.

The Shift to Mobility: Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Transit Initiatives

The "Mobility" component of the DTM’s name is a reflection of a city-wide commitment to a multimodal network. Tucson is actively investing in infrastructure that encourages walking and biking, reducing reliance on single-occupancy vehicles.

Tucson’s Network of Bicycle Boulevards

The DTM’s Bicycle & Pedestrian Program is systematically expanding the city's network of Bicycle Boulevards. These are low-speed, low-volume residential streets optimized for bicycle travel, often using traffic calming measures and signage to prioritize cyclists.

  • Key Projects: Active and upcoming projects include the Third Street and Treat Avenue Bicycle Boulevards, and the Arcadia and Timrod Bicycle Boulevard Project.
  • Greenways: The El Paso and Southwestern Greenway is another initiative focused on creating dedicated, safe corridors for non-motorized travel.

The Tucson Slow Streets Initiative

Initially launched as a pilot program in 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Tucson Slow Streets initiative has transitioned into a permanent program. This involves reconfiguring certain residential streets to reduce through-traffic speeds and volumes, making them safer and more comfortable for walking, running, and cycling.

  • Community Focus: The initiative is a direct response to community desire for safer, more livable streets, aligning with the principles of Plan Tucson 2025.

Sun Tran and Public Transit Updates

Public transit remains a cornerstone of the city’s mobility strategy. The DTM works closely with Sun Tran, the regional public transit operator. A major update in late 2025 involved the implementation of new transit schedules.

  • Transit Efficiency: The November 2025 schedule changes were designed to optimize routes and improve on-time performance across the city, providing more reliable service to riders.
  • Future Planning: The city is continually evaluating its transit network to ensure it supports the goals of the Regional Mobility and Accessibility Plan.

Plan Tucson 2025: The Blueprint for Future Mobility

The DTM's current work is guided by the broader vision set forth in the updated Plan Tucson 2025. This General Plan sets the goals and policies for the city’s next two decades, with transportation being a central element.

The plan emphasizes a balanced approach to transportation, ensuring that infrastructure investments not only address current needs but also shape the city’s future growth in a sustainable and equitable manner. The focus areas of the plan include:

  • Land Use and Transportation Integration: Ensuring that new development supports multimodal transportation options.
  • Environmental Protection: Reducing the carbon footprint of the transportation sector.
  • Safety and Accessibility: Prioritizing projects like Roger Road Pedestrian Safety to reduce accidents and ensure ADA compliance.

By focusing on major road construction like the Grant Road Improvement Project and simultaneously investing in "Complete Streets" and the Bicycle Boulevard network, the City of Tucson Department of Transportation and Mobility is positioning Tucson as a forward-thinking city ready for the challenges of 21st-century urban mobility. The 2025 project portfolio is a testament to the DTM’s commitment to a safer, smoother, and more connected Tucson.

5 Major Projects That Are Reshaping Tucson: Inside the 2025 DTM Infrastructure Overhaul
city of tucson transportation department
city of tucson transportation department

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