Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren and First Lady Jasmine Blackwater-Nygren were on hand for a ribbon-cutting ceremony last Thursday, celebrating the completion of the $21.2 million upgrade to Navajo Route 35. This major infrastructure project, which began in January of last year, has transformed a 6.4-mile dirt path into a paved road complete with striped lines and guardrails, designed to improve safety and accessibility for the Tółikan (Sweetwater) community.
"This is a milestone that serves as a path towards improved road safety and efficiency," President Nygren told attendees during the event. According to details on the Navajo Nation Office of the President, the ceremony included a trail ride led by Little Dan Jr., which concluded with the formal opening at the Sweetwater Chapter House. A key factor underscoring the project’s importance was the improvement of road conditions, addressing long-standing issues with washouts and difficult travel during heavy rainfall in the area.
The main contractor for the project was the Navajo Engineering & Construction Authority (NECA), with Dibble Construction Management and Western Technologies Inc. providing support. NECA handled key stages of the road development, including subgrade preparation and the installation of features like culverts and guardrails designed to prevent erosion and improve safety.
First Lady Jasmine Blackwater-Nygren and Miss Navajo Nation Ranisha Begay recalled when the road was a dirt track, noting the impact of its improvement on the community. Officials cited safer transportation conditions for residents and school buses as an immediate benefit. Improved access to the chapter house is also expected to support increased participation in local events and governance.
Navajo Department of Transportation Principal Civil Engineer Daryl Bradley expressed gratitude during the ceremony, "We didn’t do this alone; it took support from many different people. I just want to say thank you," acknowledging the support from many individuals involved in the project, in a statement obtained by the Navajo Nation Office of the President.
