WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has announced over $108 million in grant awards for 85 projects aimed at improving transportation and reducing roadway fatalities and serious injuries on Federal and Tribal lands. These grants, from FHWA’s Nationally Significant Federal Lands and Tribal Projects and Tribal Transportation Program Safety Fund programs, are part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s ongoing efforts to invest in transportation improvements and enhance safety, mobility, economic development, and equity on Federal and Tribal lands.
Funding for Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Projects
The Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe has been awarded $1.2 million in Tribal Transportation Safety Funds for two critical projects:
- White Oak Casino to Deer River Multi-Use Trail: This project will design and construct a nearly 2-mile-long multi-use trail from White Oak Casino to the City of Deer River. This trail aims to provide a safer route for pedestrians and cyclists, reducing the risk of serious injuries and fatalities in an area with a history of crashes.
- Popple River Multiuse Trail Bridge: Additional funding is allocated to design a multiuse trail bridge across the Popple River within the City of Squaw Lake. This project addresses another location that has experienced crashes leading to serious injuries or death, improving overall safety for trail users.
These projects are part of a broader initiative to improve infrastructure and safety on Tribal lands, supporting the community’s transportation needs while enhancing economic development and equitable access to resources.
For more information about these grants and other transportation improvement projects, please visit the USDOT FHWA website.