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South
Mountain Fwy. proponents going online to be heard
Corinne Purtill
The Arizona Republic
Feb. 8, 2006 12:45 PM
When Andy Krals bought his Club West home eight years ago, the proposed South
Mountain Freeway was touted as one of the selling points. With a job that takes
him to appointments all over the Valley, Krals thought the planned highway was a
good solution for an area with otherwise limited freeway access, he said.
Had he known that in 2006 the freeway would still be unbuilt, and that many of
his neighbors would be fighting against it, "I certainly would have
reconsidered," he said. "I was sold that. I was sold a freeway."
Late last month, Krals decided to take action on behalf of what he believes is a
silent majority of Ahwatukee Foothills residents who support the proposed South
Mountain Freeway.
He
started an online petition, www.complete202.org.
He contacted local media, and within 10 days of hitting the Web, he said, the
petition had about 100 signatures.
Signers posted comments on his message board such as "Let's get the
freeways done so that traffic will be eased along the freeways!" and
"I am angered by the bullying of the Ahwatukee residents that don't want
this road to go through."
Krals says the petition is a rallying point for the freeway's proponents, who
aren't as vocal as the project's critics.
"If they didn't want (the freeway), why did they buy where they
bought?" he said. "You've got a selfish little group of people that
are trying to stop progress for everybody."
He plans to present the petition to the Arizona Department of Transportation as
planners near a decision on the project.
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