By AP
Tahlequah, OK – Okla tribe to spend up to $60M on county's roads
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. (AP) The Cherokee Nation says it will spend between $55 million and $60 million on road construction projects in Adair County.
County commissioners approved a cooperative agreement earlier this month with the American Indian tribe concerning the projects.
The tribe says it now has cooperative road project agreements with all 14 counties that fall within its boundaries.
Roads program director Michael Lynn says the tribe will spend Federal Indian Reservation Roads funds and will construct almost 60 miles of roads in Adair County, most within the next five years. He says the Cherokee Nation also will use bridge and vehicle access funds generated by the tribe for projects.
Cherokee Chief Chad Smith says the tribe has an interest in ensuring safe roads and bridges within its boundaries.