U.S. Transportation Secretary LaHood Announces $8.6 Million for Tribal Road Safety

Topics:  Ray LaHood

Federal Highway Administration
30 April 2013

FHWA 18-13
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Contact: Doug Hecox
Tel: 202-366-0660

WASHINGTON - U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced the availability of more than $8.6 million in Tribal Transportation Program Safety Funds (TTPSF) from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).

"In his State of the Union address, President Obama called on us to 'Fix it First' by targeting the most urgent upgrades for roads and bridges," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. "These grants are just another example of our steadfast commitment to tribal communities and will help fund much-need road repairs, improve safety and create jobs."

These funds will address a need to improve road safety on tribal lands, which have consistently ranked among the nation's highest road fatality rates. Only federally recognized tribal governments may apply.

"Over the years, I've met with many tribal leaders who share our interest in improving road safety," said Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez. "These funds will do much to help keep roads on tribal lands safe for all who depend on them."

FHWA will hold webinars on May 1 from 1-2:30 p.m. EDT and on May 8 from 4-5 p.m. EDT to provide additional clarification to potential applicants. Links to the webinars will be available at http://www.flh.fhwa.dot.gov/programs/ttp/.

The notice outlines the application process for TTPSF and proposes criteria FHWA will use to identify projects for funding. It also begins a 30-day comment period on the proposed project eligibility requirements for this new initiative from the "Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century" (MAP-21) Act.

More information about the "notice of funding availability" can be found in the Federal Register at https://federalregister.gov/a/2013-10100.