As Governor of the Gila River Indian Community, on behalf of my community and all those who travel on Interstate 10, I know that lives are being lost on Interstate 10 as it cuts through the heart of the reservation. I worry every day about Connect Valley and Tucson.

Last Thursday, January 12th, Five killed along Interstate 10 in series of crashes believed to be caused by distracted semi-truck driversAccording to community first responders, the fire was so fierce it took four hours to control the blaze. These five of his deaths follow on the heels of tragedies wrought over the course of a year. Family of seven killed in capsize near Casa Grande on November 23.

The community holds these individuals and their loved ones in their hearts and expresses deep gratitude to the firefighters, paramedics and police officers who often risk their lives to respond to these horrific incidents. But if we’re serious about mitigating the risks faced by the tens of thousands of drivers who travel this stretch of Interstate 10 every day, it takes more than thought and prayer. .

We need immediate action from Washington, DC. Requires U.S. Department of Transportation approval. Mega Grant Application Submitted by the State of Arizona, Community and Maricopa Government Association. Approval of this grant application provides substantial substance to President Joe Biden’s commitment to not leave the Indian nation behind in the distribution of bipartisan infrastructure law funds, ending decades of neglect and oblivion. end it.

Governor Stephen Law Lewis, Gila River Indian Community

A $360 million mega grant will fund the rapid expansion of the last remaining two-lane segment of I-10 through the community. As a frequent traveler on this highway, along with residents of the South Valley, Pinal County, and central Arizona, I know the traffic jams caused by this daily bottleneck, the environmental pollution caused by vehicles a mile’s worth of distance away. can be proved. – Long parking lots, the lost man-hours and frustration that the I-10 freeway creates every day.

Frankly, the cost of the subsidy pales in comparison to the economic benefits realized by ultimately expanding and improving this important national highway.as part of National highway freight network, the highway receives more than 110,000 vehicles daily, including vital commercial and freight traffic bound for Mexico and other parts of the United States. Interstate 10 is literally the backbone of the highway system in Arizona and the southwestern United States, connecting Interstates 8, 17 and 19 to transport everything from food to fuel in and around the state. is carrying

In addition to the life-saving and economic benefits of I-10, the current disruption is having a real impact on members and everyone traveling on the unimproved portion of I-10. Students and teachers were out of school last week, countless workers were unable to find work, and emergency services to residents in need were either stopped or delayed. The impact is real and the solutions are available.

The state and the Maricopa Government Coalition have already contributed more than $630 million to fund this nearly $1 billion project. The Mega Grant represents the essential missing piece. At a time when both parties are often bitterly opposed, we have seen broad, bipartisan groups of supporters come together to advocate the need to amend the I-10.

Expanding and improving Interstate 10 saves lives, reduces smog, saves travelers time, improves freight traffic, and helps keep Arizona’s economy healthy. I can’t imagine who might object. Let’s fund a Mega Grant to complete this much-needed and much-delayed project.

Governor Stephen Law Lewis represents the Gila River Indian Community.