The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) has been awarded a substantial federal grant aimed at enhancing travel infrastructure that connects to the Navajo Nation. Specifically, a $27.5 million fund from the Federal Highway Administration’s Bridge Investment Program will be put to use improving two critical Interstate 40 traffic interchanges. These upgrades will take place at the interchanges at Navajo Nation Route 12, near Window Rock at milepost 357, and Grant Road, close to Lupton at milepost 359.
Currently, bridges constituting these interchanges are outdated and do not meet modern design standards. In an effort to address this, the project, which carries an estimated price tag of $48.6 million, aims to not only bolster traffic flow but also to enhance pedestrian safety and mitigate seasonal flooding concerns, as reported by ADOT. Jennifer Toth, ADOT Director, highlighted the importance of this investment, saying, "Upgrading these interchanges that are so critical to those living in and traveling through the Navajo Nation will help safely connect Arizonans and empower our state’s economy."
This initiative has garnered backing from a spectrum of supporters, ranging from elected leaders at the state and federal levels to local governments and Navajo Nation officials. The Navajo Department of Transportation expressed their approval of the grant, stating, "Together, we will elevate the vertical connections within our landscapes, embodying the unwavering spirit of the Navajo Nation – a spirit rooted in connectivity, progress and a shared future."
The grant necessitates a $6.8 million match from the state, and additional funding will flow from ADOT’s Bridge Subprogram. If all goes according to plan, the start of construction could kick off in fiscal 2027.
