Tribes in Oklahoma are waiting for their share of federal highway funds now that the $286.4 billion transportation bill has been signed into law.

Tribal officials don't know how much they will receive. The Bureau of Indian Affairs will distribute the money based on a formula.

Tribal representatives thought they had come to agreement on the formula only to see a shift in stance by the Bush administration. Former assistant secretary Neal McCaleb spent most of his two years at the BIA trying to resolve the dispute. It was finally cleared up after he left in late 2002.

Overall, the bill includes $1.86 billion for the Indian Reservation Roads program. Officials from the Osage Nation and the Choctaw Nation say they will put the money to good use to improve and develop roads and bridges.

Get the Story:
State awaits federal funding for roads (Stephens Washington Bureau 8/11)

Highway Transportation Act:
H.R.3 | Conference Report

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