Conservationists have won the right to challenge the Arizona Department of Transportation’s plans to build Interstate 11. This allows the lawsuitto continue.
The proposed Interstate 11 would connect Nogales, Arizona to Wickenburg. Several routes have been suggested, one of which prompted the lawsuit. Conservationists say the project would harm wildlife habitats and cut off migration corridors.
The Federal Highway Administration and ADOT had argued that since no final decisions have been made on where to actually place the new road, all legal challenges to the project are premature.
A U.S. District Court judge rejected this, paving the way for the lawsuit to continue.
This project could cost $3.1 billion to $7.3 billion, depending on the final path. It had been backed by former Gov. Doug Ducey.
