Staff Reports
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — Members of the 25th Navajo Nation Council joined Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren and officials from the Navajo Division of Transportation May 7 for a ceremony signing Resolution No. CAP-25-26 into law, allocating $120 million for transportation infrastructure projects across the Navajo Nation.
The measure appropriates $120 million from the Síhasin Fund to support the Transportation Improvement Expenditure Plan, which focuses on repairing, rehabilitating, and improving roads, bridges, and transportation systems throughout the Navajo Nation.
At the signing ceremony, Speaker Crystalyne Curley acknowledged the leadership of Council Delegate Arbin Mitchell in advancing the legislation and said the measure evolved through collaboration among delegates and transportation officials to address infrastructure priorities across the Navajo Nation.
Originally introduced as a regional road funding proposal, the legislation expanded through amendments by Council Delegate Vince James, increasing the allocation from $20 million to $120 million, including $5 million designated for each delegate region to support transportation priorities not covered through other funding sources such as the Tribal Transportation Improvement Program, Fuel Excise Tax revenues, or federal priority listings.
“This investment comes directly from the Navajo people’s resources and will go back into our communities to address dirt roads, improve safety, and support long-term transportation planning for future generations,” Curley said.
Resolution No. CAP-25-26 was sponsored by Mitchell, who emphasized the need to address long-standing transportation challenges affecting communities across the Navajo Nation. Mitchell explained that his original legislation addressed Navajo Route 9402, a road connecting Nahata Dziil, Houck, and Lupton.
“The state of Arizona gave us $20 million to improve that road, but there were shortfalls,” he said. “The original legislation was to allocate money to match the state allocation. When it got to Council, I tabled that legislation, thinking about all the Navajo Nation road priorities. I’m glad we’re doing this. These roadways mean a lot because they connect us to our communities.”
Navajo DOT Executive Director Tom Platero said he was raised in a rural community connected by dirt roads and without running water or electricity, giving him firsthand understanding of the importance transportation infrastructure has for Navajo families and communities.
“I know the work it takes to get these projects completed and the impact they have on our communities,” Platero said. “Today marks an investment that will bring meaningful improvements to impacted communities. I thank the Navajo Nation Council and President Nygren for working together to make this happen for our people.”
Legislation co-sponsor Council Delegate Casey Allen Johnson said improving roads across the Navajo Nation strengthens public safety, connectivity, and quality of life for the Navajo people.
“Every morning I pray for a safe trip to my meetings and back to my family,” he said. “I depend on these roads. Like Delegate Mitchell said, these roads connect us to everything like public safety, shopping, education, and health care.”
The legislation was unanimously approved by the 25th Navajo Nation Council during the Spring Session with a vote of 21 in favor and none opposed.
