Scheduled for completion in May of 2017, the Pecos Road extension will cut through a portion of the Ahwatukee Foothills community, and locals are not happy about it. Part of the proposed Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway that will connect the East and West Valley, the construction of the freeway will be underway in 2016. The road, which the construction of is fronted by the Arizona Department of Transportation, will be open to traffic in either late 2019 or early 2020.

A $1.9 billion project paid for by Maricopa County sales tax, it has generated much controversy. Houses that would affect the path of the highway have begun being torn down on August 26 in the neighborhood Ahwatukee Foothills, with homeowners being alerted ahead of time and reimbursed. ADOT approximates 400 houses and buildings will be torn down to make way for this road. But homeowners whose houses are not directly in the way and are not to be demolished will still be affected by this road extension, as they will now no longer be in the quiet and isolated community they had originally moved to, instead now next to a busy freeway.

Those who are against the construction of this freeway raise the topic of air and noise pollution as detriments, as well as the destruction of a small portion of the South Mountain Park Reserve, which the road will cut through. Others are alright with the road, but want it to be built farther away. This would cut into Gila River Indian reserve, presenting a legal dilemma.

Those who support the road, however, say it is a vital step toward bettering the transportation system in Arizona.