WINDOW ROCK — For many Navajo families, roads are more than pavement. Across the Navajo Nation, generations of underinvestment in transportation infrastructure have left many communities facing unsafe road conditions, limited access, and long travel times that impact daily life.
Today Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren today signed Resolution No. CAP-25-26, a historic $120 million investment in transportation infrastructure projects across the Navajo Nation during a ceremony held at the Navajo Department of Transportation Complex in Tsé Bonito, New Mexico.
“This investment reflects our commitment to ensuring no community is left behind,” President Nygren added. “The work is not done, but today marks a major step forward for the Navajo Nation.”
The legislation, overwhelmingly approved during the 2026 Spring Session of the 25th Navajo Nation Council, will fund road construction, bridge improvements, airport infrastructure, road lighting, maintenance projects, and transportation safety improvements in 59 Navajo communities.
President Nygren called the legislation one of the most significant infrastructure investments in recent Navajo Nation history and emphasized that strong leadership requires teamwork, trust, and results.
“Good things happen when good people are in the right place,” President Nygren said as he recognized Navajo Department of Transportation Director Tom Platero for his years of dedication and leadership. “Roads are one of the most important things for our communities because they connect our people to schools, healthcare, emergency services, and opportunity.”
President Nygren also thanked legislation sponsor Delegate Arbin Mitchell, co-sponsor Delegate Casey Johnson, Speaker Crystalyne Curley, the Navajo Nation Council, the Budget and Finance Committee, NDOT employees, the Office of the Controller, the Department of Justice, and community partners for helping move the legislation forward.
Originally introduced as an $84 million proposal, the funding package increased to $120 million after Delegate Vince James proposed adding $5 million per delegate district to ensure broader infrastructure investments across the Navajo Nation.
During his remarks, President Nygren highlighted the administration’s growing investment in transportation infrastructure, noting that by the end of 2026, more than $400 million will have been invested into Navajo Nation roads. Over eight times the average of previous administrations.
“We’ve got plenty of dollars to go around,” President Nygren said. “We just have to deploy those resources so we can invest in our communities.”
President Nygren also praised NDOT crews for repairing more than 6,000 potholes across the Navajo Nation and expanding road maintenance efforts from approximately 15 miles to 30 miles of maintained roads throughout the Nation’s 110 chapters. He also highlighted ongoing partnerships with the State of New Mexico that have supported improvements along major transportation corridors including U.S. Highway 264 and U.S. Highway 64.
“There are communities today feeling like they were left out and there are still roads that need help all across the Nation,” President Nygren said. “We will continue working together to invest in our communities and make sure more projects move forward.”
The $120 million expenditure plan includes projects in communities spanning all regions of the Navajo Nation, including Chinle, Shiprock, Tuba City, Crownpoint, Ganado, Navajo Mountain, Kayenta, Fort Defiance, Breadsprings, Red Mesa, Shonto, and dozens of other chapters.
