Tom Palmer, Mesquite's economic development manager, drives Interstate 30 a few miles into Garland at least once a week.

It's his way of pinching himself, a reminder that the Bush Turnpike is extending toward his city.

"I think some people are still in denial that it's coming," Palmer told business leaders at an economic development forum last week. "I've got news for you: They're pouring concrete. That traffic is coming from Firewheel, all the way through Rowlett and Sachse. And they're excited."

Mesquite, which views the highway's next extension as a source of tax revenue and development, shares the excitement. But to get there, the extension will have to pass through Sunnyvale, where the tax base is fine and a country lifestyle is a treasured resource.

The southern extension of State Highway 190 through far eastern Dallas County has been on each of the 10 regional transportation plans since 1974. But it's never been very popular with Sunnyvale residents.

"It has been quite a struggle because we do realize what an impact it's going to have in our small community," said Sunnyvale Town Council member Karen Hill. "As fast as those pillars are going up on Interstate 30 in the Zion Road area, everybody is talking about it now."

Environmental studies for the proposed southern extension have been under review in Austin for more than two years. Once the environmental studies are approved, the project's final public hearing can take place. Nobody is sure when that will happen, but officials estimate that, dependent on the funding and the urgency vs. other approved projects, the southern extension should be in motion about 2015.

City marketing director John Mayner said that for Mesquite, patience is a virtue. The city is carefully plotting its growth toward Kaufman County and has plenty of land available in the 190 corridor.

Near the planned route, Mesquite is investing in its airport and planning the most expensive housing addition in city history.

"For Mesquite, that's a critical link," Palmer said. "190 with the Lucas Farm and Ridge Ranch subdivisions will bring better demographics, disposable income and access to our city."

Both route options in Mesquite take the freeway east of the airport, according to the city's wishes.

"Bottom line is we'll go along with what's best for the community as long as it solves the transportation problem," said Tim Nesbitt, East Branch project manager for the Texas Department of Transportation.

Sunnyvale has yet to fully agree on what's best for the community.

Nesbitt said that a computer program originally plotted 50 possible routes through Sunnyvale. The list was pared to eight, and after August 2006 public input meetings, is down to three. Two sweep west of Collins Boulevard then follow Duck Creek. The third more closely hugs Lake Ray Hubbard.

"Most of our council members don't want it by the lake. That's where our prime resources lie," council member Mike Sage said. "If we're going to have it, we need to have a commercial side. Otherwise, it's just a road making a lot of noise. If you're going to be stuck with it, you best use it."

Hill says the Duck Creek routes split the town in half and are too close to schools. She says there's room along the lake for both the highway and the development it will bring.

"I wish the council had made a decision 20 years ago on it rather than delaying it," she said. "We would know where it was, we could have planned for it and people could have planned on where they built their homes.

"People have come to the realization that it's coming. It's just a matter of how much is it going to affect our country lifestyle? And it will. A lot, unfortunately."