Residents who have been waiting to see proposed routes for the South Mountain Loop 202 freeway can listen in on a briefing next week at the Ahwatukee Foothills Village Planning Committee meeting. But the proposals address only the north-south leg of the freeway, and not the more controversial east-west section branching off Interstate 10, possibly near Pecos Road. Also, there will be a presentation on a request to change the land use designation for property near Desert Foothills Park to clear the way for 50 townhomes.

Organized by the Arizona Department of Transportation, the South Mountain Corridor Team has identified three routes extending from Laveen, north to I-10, according to John Godec, of Godec and Associates, the consultants who are organizing public comment on the project. The three alternatives, one with two additional options, would connect with I-10 in the west at either 55th Avenue or at the existing Loop 101/I-10 interchange at about 99th Avenue. The north-south scenarios pick up at the western end of Pecos Road, but Godec explained that no decision has been made on the lateral route. The corridor team is looking at several possible routes on the Gila River Indian Community for the freeway's east-west leg between the Pecos Road/I-10 interchange and Laveen.

The village planning committee also will be updated on a request to change the land use designation on a 5-acre parcel next to Desert Foothills Park, near Chandler Boulevard and Desert Foothills Parkway, making the way for construction of 50 townhomes. The village planning committee meets at 6 p.m. Monday, Sept 22 at the Ahwatukee Foothills Senior Center, 5051 E. Elliot Road.

The reporter can be reached at (480) 898-7914 or by e-mail at dmurphy@aztrib.com.