“I can feel the frustration when we’ve provided the information, and we get this kind of information (ignoring the city’s concerns) back,” Rothschild told an ADOT representative. “Why wouldn’t we use the existing route?”

With the official stressing that he was reluctant to answer questions while there is an open public comment period, Rothschild was quick to cut him off.

“Why would we hear answers from you when we can make our own comments,” Rothschild said.

Councilman Steve Kozachik pressed ADOT officials for a list of who supports a bypass route west of Tucson, but left the meeting with only a promise that the state agency would email him the information.

“It would be helpful for me to know who supports that,” Kozachik said, suggesting ADOT wouldn’t be backing the route unless it had significant support

Councilwoman Regina Romero made it clear what she thought about the current proposal.

“This could be a devastating economic and environmental blow not just to the city of Tucson but to the region,” Romero said.

One of three Democrats running to be Tucson’s next mayor, Romero vowed to use all of her political power to fight it.