By Paul Maryniak, AFN Executive Editor
Opponents of the South Mountain Freeway on Monday lost their bid to stop its construction temporarily while a federal panel considers an effort to halt the work permanently.
In a terse ruling, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit rejected a request to halt construction until it rules on an appeal of U.S. District Judge Diane Humetewa’s August decision that turned away all arguments two groups had made to stop the freeway.
Both the Ahwatukee-based Protect Arizona’s Resources and Children and the Gila River Indian Community have tried to stop the freeway on multiple grounds.
