By Paul Maryniak | Ahwatukee Foothills News
Opponents of the South Mountain Freeway have asked an appellate court panel to prevent blasting and further bridge construction in the Ahwatukee segment of the controversial thoroughfare.
Stating that blasting “will permanently destroy valuable aspects of the environment,” lead plaintiffs Ahwatukee-based Protect Arizona’s Resources and Children and the Gila River Community filed the request last week with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth District.
The court also set Oct. 19 for oral arguments on freeway opponents’ appeal from U.S. District Judge Diane Humetewa’s July 2016 ruling that allowed the Arizona Department of Transportation and developer Connect2020Partners to begin work.
