The long-delayed extension

of TDK Boulevard across Line Creek, providing a much-needed alternate

route between Peachtree City's industrial park and Coweta County,

has apparently hit another snag.

The Federal Aviation Administration

is expected to release a report next week expressing concern that the

agency was never consulted on the road extension, which lies at the north

approach to Peachtree City's Falcon Field Airport, the Citizen has

learned.

Right-of-way and easement contracts

were in the final stages of negotiation and construction was due to start

within a matter of weeks on the Fayette County portion of the road, according

to city officials, when officials at the FAA learned of the extension.

Coweta County officials who

are wrapping up the final piece of right-of-way for the property had not

heard of the latest developments.

"That's news to me,

but I don't think it's going to delay the process," said

Coweta County Commission Chairman Vernon "Mutt" Hunter.

Coweta County administrator

Theron Gay also said that he had not heard of any developments that would

stop the project, and the county's public works department was getting

raedy to start construction.

Peachtree City Mayor Steve

Brown said Wednesday the FAA has threatened to withhold all future federal

dollars for the expansion, operation and upkeep of Falcon Field if the

road is allowed to go through as is, but that could not be confirmed.

City Manager Benard McMullen

is negotiating with the FAA to come to a workable compromisei that won't

delay the road further.

"Falcon Field cannot operate

without those federal funds," said Brown, who headed off the release

of the FAA report to the local media by saying he had no hand in delaying

the project.

"I want everybody to be

clear that I am in no way trying to stall TDK Boulevard out of this,"

said Brown, who has been accused in some circles for intentionally throwing

up roadblocks to construction of the road, for political reasons.

"This is something that

should have been taken care of years ago, when the road was first proposed,"

he said, suggesting that the original engineering consultant used to design

the project should share the blame.

The FAA oversight came to light

as part of the routine process of procurring final easements.

Airport Authority Chairwoman

Cathy Nelmes said the FAA is reviewing the easements the authority was

asked to sign so they city can use some airport property during the construction

phase of TDK Boulevard.

Nelmes countered Brown, saying

there had been no indications the FAA will withhold any money from Falcon

Field, but the FAA's comments on the easements are expected by March

5, Nelmes added.

The current location of TDK

Boulevard has been on the airport's plans dating