ROCK SPRINGS, NM — Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren joined representatives from the Navajo Division of Transportation (NDOT), Gallup-McKinley County Schools officials, and community partners on June 10 to view progress on the US 491 Chee Dodge Elementary School Access Improvements Project, a major roadway safety initiative designed to protect students, school staff, parents, emergency responders, and daily commuters traveling to and from Chee Dodge Elementary School.
Located along US 491 near Rock Springs Chapter, the project addresses longstanding traffic safety concerns at the school access road. The area has experienced high traffic speeds, limited turning capacity, inadequate acceleration and deceleration lanes, and visibility challenges that have contributed to accidents and numerous close calls involving school buses and motorists.
The project originated from a Road Safety Audit conducted through funding provided by the New Mexico Capital Outlay Program. The audit identified several safety deficiencies, including inadequate left-turn lane dimensions, lack of acceleration and deceleration lanes, limited sight distance, and roadway design concerns near the intersection.
“This project is about protecting our children and ensuring families have safe access to school every day,” said President Nygren. “When students, parents, and school staff travel this route, they should have confidence that every effort has been made to keep them safe. This investment reflects our commitment to putting the safety of our children first.”
During the site visit, officials reviewed the completed first phase of construction, which includes roadway improvements designed to provide safer access to the school. The next phase will focus on improvements along the northbound lanes of US 491, allowing vehicles to safely exit the highway, slow down, and make turns into the school entrance.
School officials shared concerns about past accidents and near-miss incidents involving school buses and other vehicles, underscoring the need for the improvements.
President Nygren emphasized that the project is the result of years of collaboration among Gallup-McKinley County Schools, the Navajo Division of Transportation, state partners, and the Navajo Nation.
“This partnership brought together the resources, personnel, and expertise needed to address a serious safety concern that has affected this community for years,” said President Nygren. “By improving turning lanes and traffic flow, we’re creating a safer environment for school buses, emergency vehicles, families, and everyone who travels this corridor.”
Phase One of the project represents approximately $1.5 million in funding from the State of New Mexico and additional grant resources. To help complete the remaining work, the Navajo Nation recently allocated approximately $900,000 through transportation funding legislation signed by President Nygren. The second phase is estimated to cost approximately $700,000 and leaders are working to complete construction before the start of the upcoming school year.
The completed project will include safer school access turn lanes, acceleration and deceleration lanes, improved ingress and egress, enhanced traffic safety measures, and reduced crash risks for school-related traffic.
President Nygren noted that the project demonstrates the importance of partnerships across jurisdictions and agencies, particularly along major transportation corridors such as US 491.
“This is a significant investment in the future of this community,” said President Nygren. “When we work together across agencies and governments, we can solve complex challenges and deliver real results. Most importantly, we’re helping ensure that students can arrive at school safely each day and return home safely to their families.”
Construction efforts on the remaining phase are expected to continue through the summer as partners work toward completing the full project before students return to school.
