"The Valley has talked for years about the proposed South Mountain Freeway, and Ahwatukee Foothills has made a powerful effort to push the freeway onto tribal land. Ahwatukee may finally be closer to getting what it wants.

The Gila River Indian Community plans to vote Feb. 7 on whether to allow the freeway on tribal land, just south of the proposed route on Pecos Road. This is a major step in the years-long fight to build the freeway as soon as possible and to build it where it makes the most sense.

Gila River community members should vote yes. By doing so, they would spare Ahwatukee a church, more than 100 homes and part of the South Mountain preserve, which tribal members consider sacred."

Get the Story:
Opinion: Gila River tribe should vote to allow freeway on its land (The Arizona Republic 1/13)

Related Stories:
Gila River Indian Community to vote on reservation highway (1/3)