PHOENIX (AP) — Homes in the path of a proposed freeway south of Phoenix are quietly being purchased by the Arizona Department of Transportation — if their owners meet special hardship qualifications.
ADOT has bought one house in the Phoenix neighborhood of Ahwatukee this year and is working to buy another. Agency spokesman Tom Tait tells The Arizona Republic that 12 homes were purchased in 2008 for a total of $3.9 million.
The agency is buying up the homes even though it is in talks to move the route of the proposed South Mountain Freeway and ADOT is strapped for cash.
ADOT is only buying homes whose owners need to sell because of out-of-state job transfers, illnesses or family deaths.
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Information from: The Arizona Republic, http://www.azcentral.com
