PAWNEE, Okla. - The Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma celebrates the opening of the new entry road and bridge that will link the Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma Reserve to U.S. 64.

“It’s great to see the new entry way that leads to our new Law Enforcement Center and the health clinic,” said Pawnee Business Council (PBC) President Marshall Gover. “This has been needed for many years due to the traffic flow around the area where the many highways meet coming into Pawnee. We would like to thank those who have supported our efforts.”

The Pawnee Nation has discussed the need over the past decade to build a new entry into the Pawnee Nation Reserve to provide accessibility infrastructure for additional economic development projects, the Pawnee Nation College, the Pawnee Indian Health Service Clinic, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Pawnee Nation headquarters, and public safety services.

A Pawnee Nation Department of Transportation and Safety study determined that more than 3,000 vehicles utilize existing pathways into the Pawnee Nation Reserve daily with the heaviest traffic count located over the green bridge on Harrison Street/Agency Road.

The PBC recognized the need for the New Entry Project and approved its construction under the FY 2010 Department of Transportation and Safety planning process.

“This has been a long-term goal that has had many challenges to overcome during the past few years,” Gover said. “But, the Pawnee Nation has been successful in overcoming these obstacles and in the spirit of our ancestors, the Pawnees will continue to thrive proving that we are the Greatest Nation on earth.”

For more information, contact the Pawnee Nation Communications Office at (918) 762-3621 Ext. 25 or the Pawnee Nation Department of Transportation and Safety at (918) 762-3655.