The purpose of the Cheyenne-Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma Roads Construction Program is to provide safe transportation facilities for tribal members as well as the general public within the former reservation area.

Past Accomplishments

The Cheyenne-Arapaho Tribes Roads Construction Program is funded primarily by the Bureau of Indian Affairs.  The Program started in 1993 with a contract for planning activities.  Once the inventory and priority list was identified, the Tribes were able to contract through Public Law 93-638, the design and construction of various parking facilities within the Tribes former reservation area in western Oklahoma.  These projects include: Watonga Food Distribution Warehouse parking lot and access road, Clinton EMS parking and access road, Clinton Substance Abuse parking lot, Clinton casino parking lot and access road, Clinton childcare parking lot, Concho childcare parking lot, improvements at tribal headquarters (Black Kettle Phase I), Colony park improvements, West Concho Road, and most recently Black Kettle Phase II (an extension to tribal Headquarters improvements).   

Additionally, the Roads Construction Program facilitated the negotiations between the State of Oklahoma and tribal officials for the reconstruction of U.S. Highway 81 between El Reno and Okarche.  Another major accomplishment is the placement of a flashing warning light at the intersection of Banner Road and U.S. Highway 66 in late 2003 and early 2004.  This was a result of Canadian County, Oklahoma Department of Transportation, and the Cheyenne-Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma working in partnership to reduce the risk of fatal accidents at this site.  Yet another accomplishment many tribal members may be familiar with when traveling along I-40 is the signage which reads “Entering Cheyenne–Arapaho Nation”.

Current Projects

As well as the ongoing construction projects, four (4) projects are in the design stages and set to begin the construction phase in late-2006.  They include; Hammon Rural and Cemetery road in Custer County, Housing Authority parking and access road east of Clinton, OK, Assisted Living Center parking lot and access road east of Clinton, OK, and parking and access road and the reconstruction of the existing parking facility for the Watonga Indian Health Center.  Furthermore, the Roads Construction Program has seven (7) projects entering the Planning Phase.

Other Services

The Roads Construction Program also provides assistance to Tribal Members through the rehabilitation of their driveway.  This program is the Driveway Assistance Program and is funded through the Motor Fuels Compact with the State of Oklahoma.  The Motor Fuels Compact is for the sale of motor fuel on Tribal Lands.  Applications are available at the Roads Construction Program.