Trump’s Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy Announces Availability of Over $40 Million to Improve Roadway Safety on Tribal Lands and Get America Building Again

Updated grant program will help Tribes reduce roadway fatalities and serious injuries while eliminating Biden-era requirements

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) today announced over $40 million in available funding to help Tribal governments improve roadways and address transportation safety issues through the Tribal Transportation Program Safety Fund (TTPSF). The updated funding opportunity removes woke Biden-era language that tied critical infrastructure funding to social justice and Green New Scam climate initiatives. It also ensures selections are merit-based.

“The Trump Administration is leading the charge to get America building again, and we’re determined to ensure Tribal citizens can utilize federal resources to enhance roadway safety,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy. “The previous administration tied critical infrastructure funding requirements to woke DEI and Green New Scam initiatives that diverted resources from the Department’s core mission. With President Trump at the helm, America is building again, including on Tribal lands.” 

This announcement will help eligible applicants – the 574 federally recognized Tribes – meet their transportation infrastructure priorities and help reduce the risk of serious roadway departures and fatal crashes, particularly for those living and working in Native American and Alaska Native communities. Project improvements may include measures that keep drivers in their lanes, enable safe recovery along roadsides, and strategies that reduce the severity of accidents.

Examples of Removed Climate Change and Environmental Justice Language:

• “FHWA’s goal is to encourage the advancement of projects that address climate change and sustainability. To enable this, FHWA encourages funding recipients to consider climate change and sustainability throughout the planning and project development process, including the extent to which projects under TTPSF align with the President’s greenhouse gas reduction, climate resilience, and environmental justice commitments.” 
• “FHWA encourages recipients to fund projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, support fiscally responsible land use and transportation efficient design, or incorporate electrification or zero emission vehicle infrastructure.  
• “In addition, FHWA encourages recipients to consider projects under TTPSF that support climate change resilience, including consideration of the risks associated with wildfires, drought, extreme heat, and flooding, in line with guidance for projects in floodplains.” 
• “The FHWA also encourages recipients to consider projects under TTPSF that address environmental justice concerns.” 

The Notice of Funding Opportunity also updates policies to align with other key Trump Administration priorities:  

Adds Federal Anti-Discrimination Language  

• “As a condition of award, pursuant to Section (3)(b)(iv)(A), Executive Order 14173, Ending Illegal Discrimination And Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity, the recipient must agree that its compliance in all respects with all applicable Federal anti-discrimination laws is material to the government’s payment decisions for purposes of section 3729(b)(4) of title 31, United States Code.  
• “As a condition of award, pursuant to Section (3)(b)(iv)(B), Executive Order 14173, Ending Illegal Discrimination And Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity, by entering into a grant or cooperative agreement, the recipient must certify that it does not operate any programs promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives that violate any applicable Federal anti-discrimination laws.”  

Background: 

The Tribal Transportation Program Safety Fund was first created by the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act in 2012 (MAP-21) and extended in subsequent legislation including the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act in 2021. Since its inception, FHWA has awarded approximately $141 million over multiple rounds of competitive grants for more than 1,000 projects. Priority is given to projects that incorporate safety into existing infrastructure. 

Additional Information: 

You can read the amended NOFO here.  

More information about FHWA’s Tribal Transportation Program Safety Fund can be found here.