Chandler gains a new voice in regional transportation as Councilmember Jane Poston takes on a pivotal role within the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG). Tasked with steering the committee responsible for the region's transportation planning, policy, and project implementation, Poston's appointment was confirmed earlier this week. She represents Chandler on the MAG Transportation Policy Committee, which wields considerable influence over the way transportation sales tax revenue is spent,
In November, the county's electorate cast their ballots in favor of Proposition 479, securing an extension of the half-cent county sales tax earmarked for transportation until 2045. The sustained funding stream is expected to inject upwards of $800 million into Chandler's transportation infrastructure, improving freeways, transit services, and arterial streets. The success of Proposition 479 resonates through the corridors of MAG, with commitments promising to shape commutes and connectivity for years to come.
Bringing a focus on advancement and well-being to the committee, Poston remarked, "This appointment allows me to further represent the interests of Chandler as we implement regionally funded transportation projects." she stated in the City of Chandler's press release. A testament to her endeavor, the Frye Road Protected Bike Lane project stands as a beacon of progress, where nearly the entire cost will be offset by federal funds made accessible through the Transportation Policy Committee's frameworks.
Poston, who began her tenure on the City of Chandler's council in January 2023, carries her dedication to public service into multiple arenas. Beyond her MAG role, she serves on the National League of Cities Public Safety and Crime Prevention Committee, where considerations of safety, and crime pervade the discussions. With a diverse assembly of voices—from urban municipalities, rural towns, Native nations, the Arizona State Transportation Board, to the corners of business and industry—the MAG Transportation Policy Committee is a crucible of collaborative policy-making.
As regional transportation evolves under the secured funding measures and the stewardship of civic leaders like Poston, Chandler anticipates a surge in transportation projects aligning with the community's aspirations. The perennial challenge now is to shape the burgeoning metropolitan canvas into a smooth, efficient, and inclusive transit ecosystem for a city on the move.
