(Photo by Carrie Jung - KJZZ)

Crews started prepping several properties for demolition on Aug. 25, 2015.

The demolition process for the Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway extension project began Wednesday in the Goldman Ranch neighborhood near Ahwatukee.

Crews were out early in the morning prepping the first three homes for demolition, taping off the area and completing things like asbestos inspections. Officials with ADOT said the plan is to begin tearing down the first property Thursday.

It was a busy morning in the Goldman Ranch area. In addition to the demolition crews, residents who have not yet moved out of their homes were driving around. And several residents from nearby neighborhoods stopped by to check out the progress.

ADOT has been working to buy the properties in the Goldman Ranch neighborhood and other locations in the path of the planned Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway extension project for the last 20 years. Officials said that process is still ongoing. So far, 215 acquisition offers have been presented for a total of about $198 million.