Recently, Gila River Tribal public information officer, Alia Maisonet responded to questions from AZ Republic reporters about the freeway planning process. While the tribe is keeping an open mind to the possibility of the freeway being built on their land, they are “sounding out community members”. She also pointed out while they plan on submitting a request to AZ Dept of Transportation for a proposal for the freeway on tribal land, it should not be interpreted as consenting to on reservation alignment.
The Tribal approval process would be multi-tiered. 1st the Transportation Technical Team would review the plan. Then it would go through the community’s committee process and finally the Gila River Indian Community Council would have to approve it. Possibly because of the sensitivity surrounding the issue they might put it up for a referendum vote of the people. Doesn’t sound like any time soon to me.
No matter whether you are talking about Tribal leaders or the leaders involved with the Ahwatukee/Pecos alignment, leaders have to strike a balance between their constituents they answer to and “their duty to make the best possible decision for the community as a whole”, Alia Maisonet indicated.
Also there have been some that have raised the issue about the how there is no money to make it attractive and to build the freeway “below grade” to minimize the noise factor. I don’t know about you, but I can’t think of too many freeways that are attractive. Grade is important for the noise.
