(The Center Square) – Northern Arizona is expected to get new bridges with federal taxpayer funding.
Roughly $27.5 million will be spent on four new bridges on Interstate 40, which will directly impact the Navajo Nation communities of Window Rock and Lupton to meet “geometric design standards.”
“Through the Federal Highway Administration’s Bridge Investment Program, this funding signifies our dedication to modernizing the interchanges at Navajo Nation Route 12 (Window Rock) and Grant Road (Lupton),” the Navajo Nation Department of Transportation said in a statement.
“This ensures the development function as crucial thoroughfares for our Navajo residents and travelers. By replacing the four bridges to meet current design standards, we improve the flow of vehicles and ideas, while prioritizing the safety of pedestrians and resilience against seasonal flooding,” the department added.
The funding is part of the Bridge Investment Program allocated in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. According to the Federal Highway Administration, $635 million was doled out in 2024 for 22 different efforts across 19 states, bumping up the grant program’s total to $930 million, as there were also grants won in 2022 nationwide.
“Arizona’s bridges connect our communities and support our economy—they need to be safe,” Sen. Mark Kelly stated. “This investment to replace outdated bridges will enhance safety for drivers and residents while supporting trade and creating good-paying jobs. I’m proud to deliver resources through our Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to make projects like this possible.”
The highway first developed in the late 1950s runs from California to North Carolina, and the current bridges in Window Rock and Lupton were constructed in 1963, according to a news release. Millions in funding for the Grand Canyon State has been granted through the act, including for Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and changes on Grand Avenue. The legislation continues to face scrutiny for its overall price tag as well as praise for the government project funding.
