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Freeway plans win few proponents
Ahwatukee
Foothills News For some people at Thursday's open house on the
proposed Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway the issue was simple. "We have a nice view and a sound wall would ruin
it," said Charles Whitaker whose home backs onto Pecos Road. For others, the issues were more complex. "What makes Ahwatukee special is that it is a
cul-de-sac. We don't have through traffic affecting our quality of life. The
freeway will open it up and take away what's special," said Chris Ruhge who
lives near 27th Avenue and Pecos Road. What they both had in common is that they, along with
several hundred others all, appeared to be opposed to construction of the
freeway along Pecos Road. Even Congressman J.D. Hayworth expressed his
opposition. In a letter to the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) on
Tuesday, the Republican lawmaker said a freeway would cause more problems than
it would solve and that the no-build option should be strongly considered. "I write in strong opposition to this plan, and
with the lack of an alternative I must urge you to support the 'No Build
Option,'" Hayworth wrote. ADOT held the eight-hour open house at the Grace Inn
at Ahwatukee so that people could get their first close-up look at how a freeway
could impact homes and businesses along Pecos Road. The proposed plan showed that about 255 homes would
have to be demolished in Ahwatukee Foothills to make way for the freeway. Most of the houses are between 24th Street and South
34th Way, near Kyrene de los Lagos Elementary School. Many people were surprised and concerned that the
freeway would come within feet of Liberty Lane and Kyrene de la Estrella
Elementary School and Kyrene Akimel A-al Middle School as well as Kyrene de los
Lagos Elementary which now backs up to Pecos Road. "What about the major accidents that sometimes
happen?" Janel Millen asked. "I think it's just too close to the
schools." Jeff Ludwig was concerned that South Mountain would
trap pollution generated by heavy truck traffic on the freeway. But for many people their opposition evaporated at the
suggestion that the freeway move south onto the Gila River Indian Community. John Wiedman thought that a freeway would be an
economic boost for the Indians and their economic plans. "It makes mores sense on Indian land,"
Wiedman said. So far, after years of planning, the Gila River Indian
Community has shown no interest in hosting a freeway, and in 1995 passed a
resolution opposing a freeway on tribal lands. Indian opposition to the freeway upset Teri Pinkstaff. "They aren't negotiating with us," even
though they will benefit from freeway access and "we are their
customers," Pinkstaff said. ADOT representatives declined to comment on the
feedback until they had a chance to review the written remarks people made. People could study detailed aerial photographs showing
the freeway routes, including five options between 51st Avenue and the
Interstate 10/Loop 101 interchange. One of those options, roughly along 71st
Avenue, would require the destruction of 780 homes and 15 businesses. Voters originally approved a half-cent sales tax to
fund freeway construction in 1985 including the South Mountain Freeway from I-10
in Ahwatukee Foothills, west around South Mountain and reconnect with I-10
between 51st Avenue and the I-10/Loop 101 interchange. Because of money
shortfalls, the freeway was never built. In 2004, voters in Maricopa County
passed Proposition 400, which allocated $1.2 billion to construct the freeway. For information, visit www.southmountainfreeway.com. The reporter can be reached at (480)
898-7914 or by e-mail at dmurphy@aztrib.com.
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