WHEATFIELDS, Ariz. – The potholes on Navajo Route 12, past Wheatfields Lake, will soon be fixed with new pavement. Even Bigfoot won’t have to worry about the bumps on this road when crossing it.
On June 25, Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren signed a $30 million contract between the Navajo Nation and the Navajo Engineering and Construction Authority. The project will improve a 7.2-mile stretch of Navajo Route 12, from the Whiskey Creek Bridge to Wheatfields Lake. This scenic highway is called the Dinétah Scenic Byway and is important for travel and recreation.
“This signing is a step forward in building a transportation system that creates opportunities, connections, and progress for our people,” President Nygren said. “Together, we will build a road made by and for Navajo people.”
Navajo Route 12 is a busy road that runs along the Arizona-New Mexico border and passes through forested mountains. It connects to places like Wheatfields Lake, Red Lake, and the Bowl Canyon Recreation Area. The road is both a way to get around and a gateway to outdoor activities.
The $30 million project will make the road safer and better by widening lanes, repaving, and adding new features. These include drainage systems, fencing, guardrails, cattle guards, and a new bridge over Whiskey Creek. These upgrades will help protect travelers, including elders, school buses, emergency vehicles, and daily drivers.
This project is part of the Navajo Nation’s plan to improve infrastructure for the future. It follows a previous upgrade in 2022, which repaved 10.7 miles of the same road.
The N12 improvements are expected to help the local economy, strengthen community connections, and make travel safer.
The signing ceremony included leaders from across the Navajo Nation and partners. It also recognized the support from the Tsaile/Wheatfields Chapter, including Chapter President Herbert Clark, Vice President Rosita Tsosie, Secretary/Treasurer Devon Begay, and AMS Cassandra Begay, and Council delegate Carl Slater.
The N12 Road Improvement Project is an example of how community voices, local leaders, and the government working together can create positive change.
“It’s not just about fixing the road, but about investing in safety, access, and opportunities for all Navajo people,” President Nygren said.
