Freeway causes concern for Pecos Road homeowners

This second article continues a five-part series examining the debate over the South Mountain Freeway, which is part of the Proposition 400 funding package going to voters Nov. 2.

By Georgann Yara, Staff Writer
Ahwatukee Foothills News, 10-1-04

Carmel Jones remembers when she first moved into her home along a peaceful desert strip called Pecos Road 13 years ago.

Today, she can see and hear the morning and afternoon rush of cars on that four-lane paved road from her second-story patio.

Thirteen years from now, the last view she wants is a greater flood of vehicles speeding along a freeway that used to be a calm, unrefined bit of desertscape.

"It was so quiet before. I can hear the traffic now, so I can only imagine what it would be with the freeway," Jones said. She is one of many homeowners who live along Pecos Road , which, over the years, has gone from being a rarely traveled, unrefined road to a popular driving route into the Foothills.

Although there are no definite plans to put the 23-mile South Mountain Freeway practically in her back yard, what is for sure is Proposition 400, which would provide funding for the Loop 202 extension. Voters will be asked to decide this measure Nov. 2.

Jones supports extending the freeway from Interstate 10, curving around Ahwatukee Foothills and eventually connecting back to I-10 in Laveen.

However, she would rather see it built south of Pecos on the Gila River Indian Community, another possible option that the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) is studying.

Possible added pollution and noisy traffic are among Jones' top concerns with the freeway built along Pecos Road . She also does not look forward to what will likely be a lengthy construction process with restrictions and delays in and out of the neighborhood.

"It was bad enough when they widened it," she said.

Asked if she would move should the freeway be built on Pecos , she said, "Absolutely."

"Who wants to live next to a freeway? It's unheard of to have people with money, nice homes to live backed up against a freeway. Our property values will go down and we all lose."

According to South Mountain Loop Citizens Advisory Team member Rock Argabright, Jones is not alone and said many residents are concerned about property values dropping. He also agrees that Pecos Road would not be the best route for a freeway extension.

However, he cites studies that state truck traffic would be "minimal" on the freeway with 90 percent of trucks stopping in downtown Phoenix .

What is troubling is the projected number of passenger vehicles on I-10 going into downtown. He cites an Arizona State University study that the 260,000 vehicles that currently pack the Broadway curve every workday will jump to 460,000 by 2020.

"We have to move the cars... It's only going to get worse. We have to move more people," he said.

ADOT spokesman Doug Nintzel said the federal environmental study currently under way is examining traffic restrictions, delays, congestion and other consequences of building the freeway, regardless of where it goes. He could not give specific details because the location of the freeway has yet to be determined, but did say it would be "a number of years" before construction were to begin.

Wayne Ronsman has lived in his home near Pecos Road since 1998. He supports the freeway, even if it is in his back yard, saying the walls would help minimize the noise and any inconveniences would be a small price to pay for traffic relief.

"It would provide easy access. It's logical. People can't keep it pristine," he said, adding that many Valley drivers would benefit from the extension and those who oppose it should consider the feelings of others.

"People need to think outside of the four walls, a little charity is needed."

The reporter can be reached at (480) 898-7917 or gyara@aztrib.com.