Washington, D.C.– Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva today congratulated the Tohono O’odham Nation on its new $500,000 grant from the Federal Highway Administration. The money will be used to pave unimproved roads used by school buses, construct a new roadway to access the Head Start program in the Pisinemo Community, install new road signs and warning lights in the Sells District, and improve street lights and sidewalks in the San Lucy Community.

According to Tribal information, hundreds of miles of reservation roadways are in desperate need of an upgrade. The money will improve dozens of unpaved surfaces that are used daily, particularly for the transportation of children to the Nation’s schools.

“Public safety and high-quality infrastructure are two of the government’s greatest responsibilities, especially where children and schools are concerned, and I’m glad to see Tribal leaders pursuing and receiving these funds,” Grijalva said of the grant. “These projects will create jobs and improve students’ chances of scholastic and professional success for years to come. This is an important investment in the Tribe’s future, and I look forward to seeing the results.”

For more information, contact the Tohono O’odham Department of Planning & Economic Development at (520) 383-5546.