October 30, 2006

Hayworth Urges Transportation Secretary to Scrap Loop 202 Expansion

(Scottsdale, Arizona) Congressman J.D Hayworth (R-AZ) today spoke with U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary E. Peters, an Arizona native, to voice his opposition to the Pecos Road Alignment for the South Mountain Freeway in Ahwatukee.

"I support appropriate efforts to expand transportation infrastructure in our communities, but this is not one of them," says Rep. Hayworth. "I urged the Secretary to oppose plans for the South Mountain Freeway in Ahwatukee because this plan will eliminate hundreds of homes and businesses while bringing minimal traffic congestion relief to area residents."

The expansion of the South Mountain 202 Loop would also have a potential health and environmental impact of the residents and schoolchildren that live and go to school in the area.

"This construction would have a lot of residual affects on the community. I expressed to the Secretary that this project would have a direct impact on health issues and air quality for residents in the area. I let her know that the people of the 5th District of Arizona are in favor of progress, but not when the negatives clearly outweigh the positives."