TAHLEQUAH, OK – The Cherokee Nation has been awarded $32 million through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) grant program for a major highway improvement project along US-59 in Delaware County.
The project, also known as the US-59 Safety Improvement and Freight Development Project, will transform an eight-mile segment of US-59 from a two-lane road into a modern four- and five-lane highway with 10-ft. shoulders throughout. The significant infrastructure investment will enhance safety, reduce congestion, and support economic growth in Northeastern Oklahoma.
In May of 2024, the Cherokee Nation Department of Transportation applied for the INFRA grant to improve the US-59 corridor from Jay to Grove. The application included a total request for $32.1 million in grant funding to be matched with additional resources from Cherokee Nation and the Oklahoma Department of Transportation for a total project cost of $57.1 million.
“The Cherokee Nation Department of Transportation and Infrastructure understands that maintaining a sophisticated transportation program in our communities is of vital importance not just to Cherokee citizens who live in and travel through the Cherokee Nation reservation, but to everyone regardless of their tribal citizenship,” said Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. “This amazing project would not have been possible without local leadership – most notably Oklahoma State Representative Josh West, who made such a strong case to state, tribal and federal officials that US-59, connecting the communities of Grove and Jay in Northeast Oklahoma, is a critical route used to connect commuters to work, school, healthcare and other quality-of-life needs they may have. The importance of this route, and the need for its expansion, cannot be understated.”
The project will specifically improve access to the Grand Lake area and support the growing aviation and aerospace sector in the region, while enhancing safety and mobility for local agricultural operations.
“Infrastructure improvements of this magnitude will have lasting generational impacts for the residents of Northeastern Oklahoma,” said Oklahoma State Rep. Josh West. “This project not only builds stronger, more resilient communities, but also ensures all citizens in Oklahoma have safe and reliable transportation infrastructure. This is a prime example of how federal, state and tribal partnerships can work together and make vital improvements for our citizens.”
The upgraded highway will feature improved shoulders and modern safety features, addressing long-standing concerns about road safety in the region. Construction is slated to begin in fiscal year 2026. The project showcases the Biden-Harris administration’s commitment to investing in rural and tribal communities through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.