TAMPA - Any momentum gained in the weeks after the Tampa-Hillsborough County Expressway Authority unveiled plans to build a regional beltway is quickly evaporating.

The authority canceled today's scheduled beltway presentation before the Tampa City Council. It also has canceled a series of public presentations to inform local politicians and transportation and planning officials about the project.

And a big supporter of the beltway concept said Wednesday that he doubts the authority can coordinate such a large-scale project.

"From what I read, I don't know if they're the agency to make this happen," Hillsborough County Commission Chairman Jim Norman said. "I don't have the confidence right now they would be the agency to pull this off."

At issue is a plan to build a 120-mile toll road linking Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas and Manatee counties, which could cost about $2 billion. Supporters say the road will ease traffic congestion in eastern Hillsborough. Critics say it will spur urban sprawl and cut across environmentally sensitive lands.

The road can't be built as proposed without the support of the Pinellas, Hillsborough, Manatee and Pasco county commissions and metropolitan planning organizations.

Now, just weeks after the expressway authority's plans were unveiled, the agency faces a series of internal problems surrounding the hiring of its legal counsel.

Gov. Jeb Bush has called for an investigation into possible ethics and Sunshine Law violations. State Sen. Victor Crist, R-Tampa, has called for a legislative investigation. Two state lawmakers are proposing legislation to abolish the agency and replace it with a regional transportation agency.

The turmoil has local elected officials wondering whether the authority can handle the beltway project and whether this is the right time for the agency to start a new project.

"There is no need for us to talk about a beltway proposal right now," Tampa City Councilman Shawn Harrison said. "We need to focus on whether there's an expressway authority in six months. The beltway project is not something anyone should be spending gray matter on."

Asked whether he had faith in the agency, Pinellas County Commissioner Bob Stewart said: "I don't know if they are capable of doing what they proposed."

Ralph Mervine, executive director of the expressway authority, sent a letter Wednesday to the Tampa City Council asking to postpone today's beltway presentation.

He didn't offer an alternative date.

"The fact they are standing us up on our first date doesn't bode well," City Councilman John Dingfelder said.

In an interview, Mervine said the authority remains committed to the beltway project. He cited the investigations as reason to delay the presentation.

"Right now there are so many issues going on," Mervine said. "We have our hands full."

The authority built the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway and is involved in an east-west toll road proposed for New Tampa. Nearing completion of its most recent project, the elevated Selmon expressway lanes, the authority unveiled its beltway plan Aug. 2 before the Hillsborough County Commission. The commission gave it a warm reception.

That was before allegations of wrongdoing surfaced.

Since then, the authority canceled the Tampa City Council presentation, canceled a workshop scheduled for this week with the Pinellas County Commission, and called off a meeting next month with the Hillsborough County Metropolitan Planning Organization.

"They have other issues, and perhaps they don't want to put themselves in a public arena where they might be asked to answer questions they're not ready to answer," Tampa City Councilwoman Rose Ferlita said. "It's probably a defense mechanism."

Reporter Ellen Gedalius can be reached at (813) 259-7679 or egedalius@tampatrib.com.