The request was made in March because some members of the South Mountain Citizen Advisory Team have become increasingly uncomfortable and inhibited by the presence of reporters at the meetings, Burdick said.

The team is expected to vote on a preferred route for the West Valley arm of the South Mountain (Loop 202) Freeway in May or June.

Any of the upcoming meetings could be closed should the committee's request be granted.

The vote's outcome would not determine if the freeway will be built.

It will, however, be among the items ADOT submits in its environmental impact statement to the federal government.

While ADOT awaits an opinion from Attorney General Terry Goddard, the decision should be clear, according to some.

"It makes no sense for this advisory group to function in secrecy," said David J. Bodney, a lawyer with Steptoe & Johnson and an expert on open meetings law. Bodney, who represents The Arizona Republic on First Amendment matters, said: "In form and function, this group operates as a classic advisory committee and therefore its meetings are subject to the Arizona Open Meeting Law. All persons are entitled to attend and listen to its deliberations."

But members fear that as discussions become more crucial, those who need to speak will not.

"Members are more reserved in their comments since the press have been allowed to come," said Laura Prendergast, a member of the committee who represents the Laveen Citizens for Responsible Development. "If they know the press is here, they won't express themselves. We may need to have a closed-door session so we can hash things out."

Ron Chohamin, a committee meeting and vice president of the Lakewood Community Association of Ahwatukee, said the intent of opening the meetings to the public was for the public to observe directly the proceedings. "It was not particularly meant to be open for journalistic adventures," he added.

The team was convened by ADOT in 2001 to get regular community feedback while planning the South Mountain Freeway, a $1 billion project funded by state and federal dollars.

The South Mountain Citizen Advisory Team is made up of representatives from a range of groups and municipalities who have an immediate stake in shepherding the 202 away from or through their respective communities.

Representatives from Tolleson and Avondale are a part of the committee. People from the Sierra Club, the Ahwatukee Foothills Chamber of Commerce, United Dairymen of Arizona, the South Mountain Village Planning Committee and Ahwatukee Foothills Homeowners Association also are among the 24-member team.

Until 2003, the team members met privately.

An internal review by ADOT staff of state statutes determined the group could meet privately, Burdick said.

ADOT opened the meetings because of the negative impression closed meetings made, said Shannon Wilhelmsen, director of communications and community partnerships for ADOT recently at the Ahwatukee Foothills Village Planning Committee.

The next meeting will be from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. April 28 at the Komatke Center on the Gila River Reservation.