Transportation Benefit Program

Citizens pass the Transportation Benefit District 

(Feb. 2023)  The Arlington Transportation Benefit District passed with 68%, 3,099 ballots.

This 10-year tax payer supported program has enabled the city to repave and preserve 18.9 miles / 99,792 Linear feet of city streets 2013 through 2022.

Cost to taxpayer: In 2013, a new sales tax of 0.2% (2 cents on a $10 purchase) was approved, generating approximately $600,000 additional revenue per year for city roads in poor condition. This sales tax applies to anyone spending money inside of city limits.  

Potential New Projects: Future projects could include transportation safety projects and traffic calming projects in neighborhoods such as:
crosswalk repairs, striping and illumination, traffic calming/slowing products such as flashing speed signs, sidewalk improvements.

Continuing the program:
Continuation of the Transportation Benefit Program required citizens to vote to renew on Feb. 14, 2023. We look forward to 10 more years of Transportation Benefit funding to preserve and improve the City's Transportation system. 

2023 Pavement Preservation Projects



Informational Videos Below


6-Year Transportation Improvement Plan 2019 - 2024

2022 Pavement Preservation Project webpage

TBD Pavement Preservation Map


City Analyzes Street Pavement Conditions

(Dec. 2022) The City recently contracted with IMS Analysis to survey and measure the current condition of pavement on all city streets. IMS used a state-of-the art van, equipped with LIDAR, cameras, and various lasers, to precisely measure and rate over 82 miles of city roadways. In addition to the pavement condition survey, they also collected an inventory of ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) ramps to support the development and implementation of our ADA Transition Plan.

 "The results from this survey will be a comprehensive database and index rating the pavement condition of all of Arlington's streets. This information will in turn guide the pavement preservation program in the selection and prioritization of city streets in need of preservation or restoration and help ensure the effective and efficient use of TBD funds," said Deputy Public Works Director and City Engineer, Ryan Morrison.

The City last had its pavement quality assessed in 2012, when the Transportation Benefit District was created. In order to update our Pavement Condition Index (PCI), which we use to select which roads to overlay each year, we are currently having our roadways re-evaluated. The revised evaluation is being conducted to assess the performance of the program thus far and provide an update on the current state of our pavement. This information is also critical for certain grants the City applies for. When the pavement study is complete, it will aid in the prioritization of streets beyond 2023.

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  1. What can the Transportation Benefit Program fund
  2. How is the Transportation Benefit Program funded?
  3. Why do we need to renew the Transportation Benefit Program now?
  4. Who pays the Transportation Benefit Program tax?
  5. How much will it raise for transportation projects in Arlington?
  6. What has been completed since voters approved Transportation Benefit Program?
  7. What projects will be funded the next 10 years?
  8. Who gets to vote on the Transportation Benefit Program renewal?
  9. Is there another way to fund a Transportation Benefit Program?
  10. Why should I support the Transportation Benefit Program?
  11. What other cities have a Transportation Benefit Districts/Programs
  12. How does our sales tax rate compare to those cities?
  13. Who do I contact if I have more questions?
View All FAQs

History

On April 1, 2013 the Arlington City Council passed Ordinance Number 2013-005, which created a Transportation Benefit District (TBD) in the City of Arlington. A TBD is a quasi-municipal corporation and independent taxing district created for the sole purpose of acquiring, constructing, improving, providing, and funding transportation improvements within the City limits of Arlington. It has the authority to impose certain taxes and fees, either through a vote of the people or Board action, for transportation purposes. 

On January 1, 2018 the Arlington City Council passed Ordinance Number 2018-001, which transferred all powers vested in the governing board of the Arlington Transportation Benefit District to the City of Arlington City Council.

Today, the City refers to this budget as the Transportation Benefit Program.  The program will go before residents  in February 2023 to vote whether to continue the sales tax and fund the transportation benefit projects. 

TBD map 2022