Make some noise Ahwatukee! Stop the freeway

Ahwatukee Foothills News
12-14-05

Dear Editor:

I am totally opposed to the South Mountain Freeway being built along Pecos Road.

This alignment will greatly diminish the quality of life in Ahwatukee Foothills. The pollution, noise and congestion do not support the quiet lifestyle we want in Ahwatukee Foothills. If the city of Phoenix wants a reliever route for Interstate 10 around South Mountain, the solution is simple ­ negotiate with the Indian Reservation! This is wide-open land and is the most logical choice for this route. If this effort fails, this freeway should not be built!

With the destruction of 250-plus homes and cutting through South Mountain Preserve, who could possibly think that this is the most logical solution? Stand on Pecos Road and look south. The solution is in the open desert!

One of Ahwatukee's greatest appeals is its cul-de-sac atmosphere and separation from the hustle and bustle of the big city. This freeway would destroy that atmosphere with 24-hour-a-day truck traffic and open our community up to the traveling world, meaning: congestion, noise and crime. I have lived in Ahwatukee for 14 years. I do not see the need for this freeway to be built in our neighborhood.

I believe the best alignment would be along Riggs Road. This area is wide open and would allow the Indian Community the ability to build businesses, restaurants, hotels and gas stations to support the freeway and create revenue and jobs. This is not needed in Ahwatukee.

Additionally, having the alignment would greatly increase the value of the land between the freeway and Ahwatukee. With access to all this new infrastructure, this land would increase greatly in value.

The logical solution to this freeway is easy for everyone to see. The least impact and greatest good is served by building the freeway on the Indian Reservation. The bureaucrats already know this, but do not want to spend the money to purchase the land from the Indian Community. They are waiting to see how much hell the people of Ahwatukee raise to justify the expense of approaching the Indian Community. I say, "Let's raise some hell!"

William D. Sapp