U.S. Department of Transportation recently announced $21 million in grant awards to improve road safety on Tribal lands.

The grants, shared among 70 Tribal nations for 93 projects aimed at improving road safety and funded by the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, were announced in a Feb. 2 news release. 

"This funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will not only improve safety on Tribal roads for drivers, but it will improve safety and accessibility for other users such as road work crews, pedestrians and bicyclists," Federal Highway Administrator Shailen Bhatt said in the news release. "We're pleased to help Tribes implement these projects that will help save lives in Tribal communities."

The grant recipients for the current fiscal year include the Seneca Nation of Indians in New York, which will receive more than $1.6 million for roundabout construction and the Broad Street and Iroquois Drive Intersection in Salamanca, N.Y. 

The Colorado River Indian Tribes in Arizona will receive $792,440 two fund projects in La Paz County, the release reported. One project is for roadway departure countermeasures at a curve identified as a high crash risk area, and the other project will implement pedestrian safety improvements along an area road. 

The Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians in Minnesota will receive $300,000 for pedestrian safety and walkability improvements at its Red Lake Nation Hospital Compound in Red Lake, according to the release.

The Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes in Montana will receive $600,000 for roadway infrastructure improvements, the release said. 

Grant recipients include 16 Tribes that had not previously participated in the program which will now receive funds to develop initial transportation safety plan, according the release.