The city needs an interchange at Rancho del Oro Drive to serve the area'sblossoming development, which includes the proposed $1.2-billion office campus byIdec Pharmaceuticals. But local opposition to the project has resulted in adecision by Caltrans to conduct a full environmental impact study--a processthat will take at least three and possibly five years, city planners say.

The city has been wrapping up its own environmental studies and was expected tounveil a draft report in October, hoping to break ground on the new interchange within only two years. The decision by state transportation officials to conduct a new impact report will prevent the project from moving forward until mid-2005, says Public Works Director Peter Weiss.

Added studies will also probably triple the price tag of the $12 millionproject, city officials say.