(Photo by Arizona Department of Transportation)

Initial construction of the controversial South Mountain Freeway extension began last week, but that hasn’t cooled opposition.

On Tuesday, the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) will host a public meeting at Desert Vista High School in Ahwatukee to show updated design plans.

Leading up to that meeting, a protest, in the form of a prayer run, will be held by members of the Gila River Indian Community. The run starts at 4 p.m. and leaves from Moadag Thadiwa and will end at the site of the meeting at Desert Vista High School.

To learn more, KJZZ's The Show spoke with Andrew Pedro, a member of the Gila River Indian Community. He will be taking part in the prayer run.

"If it comes down to it, people will put themselves in the way," Pedro said.