SANTA FE, N.M. — Building on his February 6 remarks at the New Mexico State Capitol, Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren met with New Mexico Department of Transportation Cabinet Secretary Ricky Serna to push forward critical road projects, improve coordination on capital outlay funding, and address immediate safety concerns impacting Navajo communities.
The leaders reviewed construction progress on U.S. Route 64, a long-awaited project for families who travel the corridor every week. President Nygren highlighted the visible improvements between the state line and Shiprock and shared how meaningful the progress has been for residents.
“We’ve been dreaming of this road being worked on since I was a little kid,” President Nygren said, noting the excitement he continues to hear from his home community.
Discussion also focused on the Shiprock bridge replacement and related intersection improvements. Secretary Serna said the bridge design is being developed to connect into the Route 64 corridor, addressing long-standing traffic flow and safety concerns while the state pursues viable funding strategies to move the project forward.
Secretary Serna emphasized the importance of greater transparency and accountability for capital outlay funds moving through the state, including resources that support local and chapter-level projects.
“We’re creating a public-facing dashboard that can be sorted by entity,” Secretary Serna said. “It will show appropriations, active projects, spending to date, and remaining balances, and help flag where reimbursements may be stalled.”
President Nygren and Secretary Serna also addressed recurring maintenance challenges along key routes, including cattle guards filling with sand and debris accumulating along fence lines. Both sides agreed to pursue intergovernmental agreements that allow for coordinated cleanup and maintenance work, and to schedule an on-site field visit with Navajo Nation leadership, natural resources, and legal teams to finalize right-of-way and maintenance frameworks.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to improve traffic safety near the Shiprock flea market through immediate, practical measures—such as enhanced signage and pedestrian safety improvements—while longer-term infrastructure solutions are developed.
