A citizens group studying whether the South Mountain (202) Freeway should be constructed through Ahwatukee Foothills had been expected to offer its opinion this month but now won't decide until fall, an Arizona Department of Transportation official said.

The South Mountain Citizen Advisory Team has been delayed by ongoing research on the project's possible impact on the area, ADOT spokesman Matt Burdick said.

ADOT is still gathering information on the impact of the freeway's construction on traffic, the environment, cultural and historic sites, Burdick said.  

But the team's fall decision will only focus on the alignment alternatives in the portions that connect to the West Valley, not Pecos Road in Ahwatukee.

"Part of the reason why we are not going to identify a preferred alternative in the Ahwatukee area is to allow for additional time and work in the Gila River Indian Community to identify if there are alternatives to be considered," Burdick said.

Routing the freeway to the south through the reservation is one alternative being discussed.

The team, whose members represent interests ranging from environmentalists to housing associations, was convened by ADOT. It was formed to give the public input into the process of building the freeway.

The recommendation the team will give will be a part of the draft environmental impact statement that will be submitted to the federal government.

None of the team's decisions is binding for ADOT.

The group will meet tonight to discuss new traffic projections as well as explore the consequences of building along 51st Avenue near South Mountain Park/Preserve. Several acres of the park could be affected if construction is along that alignment.

The meeting will be at 5:30 p.m. at the Komatke Center, on the northwestern corner of 51st Avenue and St. Johns Road, north of Pecos Road.