That portion of the project had been delayed for years by legal battles from Grand Prairie homeowners. The homeowners, concerned about the effect the road would have on their quiet neighborhood, argued that the state's studies did not justify the need for a major highway along the selected route. A federal judge ruled in favor of the state several years ago and allowed the project to proceed. State planners have begun buying property in the area, and construction on frontage roads could begin in about three years. Southern Grand Prairie has seen a retail boom in the last couple of years, and there is plenty of available land, Mayor Charles England said.
Traffic is as important as economic development is now.