An crucial opinion on the proposed South Mountain Freeway by a citizen's advisory team may swing on the southern route.

The Pecos Road alignment through Ahwatukee Foothills could be the fissure that triggers a no-build recommendation from the South Mountain Citizens Advisory Team this spring.

"Pecos Road is just going to cause problems," said Michael Goodman, a representative from the Phoenix Mountains Preservation Council. "It may cause the whole thing to collapse."

Phoenix opposes constructing a freeway along Pecos Road and is hoping the Gila River Indian Community will allow a portion of the freeway to be built farther south on reservation land. If the Gilas reject the idea, Ahwatukee Foothills neighborhoods opposition to a Pecos Road alignment could thwart efforts to build the freeway.