MEMPHIS, Tenn. — As thousands rolled into town in August to pay tribute to the king, they were greeted by a roadway that’s anything but royal — Elvis Presley Boulevard. The WREG Investigators were first to tell you the city lost some $20 million in funding for the long-awaited Elvis Presley Road Improvement Project, which halted construction for the second phase of the project that was set to start this summer. "They need to fix the roads because this road is bumpy," said Kansas City tourist Suzy Foster, who said she's been visiting Graceland since the 1970s. "All the money that comes in with Elvis. Fix the roads." But we’ve learned leaders are a step closer to getting the money back. City loses $27M for Elvis Presley Boulevard construction, possibly putting project on hold State Rep. Karen Camper and Sen. Raumesh Akbari recently met with TDOT Commissioner Butch Eley, and they say the Elvis Presley Boulevard Road Improvement Project is a step closer to getting funded again. Akbari called the meeting fruitful, saying she’s confident that the Elvis Presley project will regain funding and will finally be completed. A TDOT spokesperson confirmed the agency is working with the Memphis Metropolitan Planning Organization to avoid any funding delay on this project and arfe working to secure needed federal funding. After WREG's series of investigations about the loss of funding for the Elvis Presley Boulevard Road Improvement Project, state lawmakers vowed to get the money back. "This project is overdue, is taking too long. I'm the the current council person and this project started two council members before me," said Memphis City Councilwoman Pearl Eva Walker. Get the latest from the WREG Investigators in your inbox Walker said Whitehaven families and business owners deserve the best, and so do the thousands of visitors to the community."We want them to come and and be able to experience an environment that is clean and is easy and safe to maneuver about," added Walker. City leaders shocked by funding loss for Elvis Presley Blvd., will fight to get it back MLGW crews continue utility relocation, now at Elvis Presley near Winchester, which the department says should be wrapped up by the end of the year. This work was already underway, and it's an integral part of phase two which, without funding, is up in the air. Elvis fans we talked to said they're coming to Graceland regardless of any detour on the road or the plans to improve it. "I don't care. I’d drive to the Sahara Desert to see Elvis, so it doesn't matter whatsoever. I love him that much," said Carol Drane, who drove 60 miles round trip every day of Elvis Week from Coldwater, Mississippi. WREG Investigators are still working to find out when that federal funding could be restored and what it would mean for an already delayed timeline for the project. ► DO YOU NEED A STORY INVESTIGATED? WREG Investigators want to hear from you! Call our tip line at 901-543-2378. You can also send an email to [email protected].