The U.S. Department of Transportation announced on Apr. 7 that it has awarded more than $2.3 million to two North Dakota tribal nations through the Build America Bureau Rural and Tribal Assistance Pilot Program.
The funding aims to support transportation infrastructure projects for the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians and the Three Affiliated Tribes, addressing road safety and accessibility in their communities.
According to the announcement, $1,583,044 will go to the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians for the Gordon Lake Road Infrastructure Enhancement Project. This project focuses on planning, design, and engineering work for reconstructing approximately 19.4 miles of gravel roadway near Belcourt within the Turtle Mountain Indian Reservation.
The Three Affiliated Tribes will receive $750,000 for transportation safety improvements around Son of Star Casino along Bureau of Indian Affairs Road 1. The award will fund planning and design activities aimed at addressing anticipated safety concerns due to casino construction. Planned improvements include pavement reclamation and resurfacing, building turn lanes, installing a shared use path, adding lighting, roadway striping, and signage.
U.S. Sen. Kevin Cramer assists North Dakotans with federal agencies to resolve issues and provide information according to the official website. Cramer served three terms as North Dakota’s at-large representative in the U.S. House before joining the Senate according to his official website. He grew up in Kindred, North Dakota according to his official website, earned a bachelor’s degree from Concordia College and a master’s degree in management from the University of Mary according to his official website, serves on Senate committees covering Environment and Public Works, Veterans’ Affairs, Banking Housing and Urban Affairs according to his official website, ran on a platform focusing on energy policy and national strength according to his official website, is distinguished as being first North Dakotan on Senate Armed Services Committee according to his official website, raised five children with wife Kris who also have eight grandchildren according to his official website.
These federal investments are intended not only as immediate support but may also have broader implications for long-term transportation development among Native American communities in North Dakota.
