An opinion by a citizen's advisory team that could determine the fate of the proposed South Mountain Freeway may hinge on the route of the southern leg.

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

"We are closer to a consensus on the west side, at least tentative approval," said Michael Goodman, a representative from the Phoenix Mountains Preservation Council. "But Pecos Road is just going to cause problems. 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.

The team of community leaders from Avondale, Laveen, the Sierra Club and homeowners associations was organized by the Arizona Department of Transportation for citizen input in the planning process.

Members from Ahwatukee Foothills include Rudy Martinez, of the village planning committee; Kris Black of the Foothills Homeowners Association, and Ron Chohamin of the Lakewood Community Association of Ahwatukee.

"From a Phoenix perspective, that (Pecos Road) portion needs to be finished," said Black, who suggested constructing a parkway instead of a freeway. "The reality is we have an obligation to make sure they do the best job."