State officials will continue to study the possibility of building a bypass route to Interstate 10 through Tucson but two of four alternatives have been eliminated from consideration.

The state Transportation Board voted unanimously March 21 to remove two potential routes that would go through the San Pedro Valley east of the Rincon Mountains.

One of the remaining alternatives - the one that would come closest to Tucson - goes through Avra Valley. From the east it would take off from I-10 near Vail proceeding due west then going north west of the Tucson Mountains and Marana to reconnect to I-10 at Casa Grande.

The other remaining alternative is the farthest removed from Tucson. From the east it would take off from I-10 east of Willcox and proceed northwesterly near Safford through Aravaipa Valley before turning west and reconnecting with I-10 at Casa Grande near the junction with I-8.