Regardless, the development was being celebrated by opponents to the freeway idea. We think it's a favorable sign, but we don't want to get anybody's hopes up, said Caryn Goldberg, spokeswoman for a group that wants to see improvements to the current road rather than a freeway. Lawrence Mayor Erv Hodges doesn't expect many people to change their opinions given the additional month. Matthews said ground-breaking remains five to seven years away, with construction proceeding for two to three years after that. But KDOT officials are eager to get a route chosen so they can do the environmental and engineering studies, get federal permission and proceed with the project, Matthews said.
Every month delayed is one more month off getting anything done.