In the December 2025 edition of the Cross Timbers Consulting Tribal Transportation News, you will find current information and updates affecting the Tribal transportation industry. If you have an event or information that you would like to see included in a future edition of the CTC Newsletter, please email: info@crosstimbersconsulting.com. | |  | |
IN THIS ISSUE:
+ 2026 Tribal Transportation Training: Registration,
Draft Agenda, & Hotel Information
+ Christie Modlin Elected NCAI Recording Secretary
+ Tribal Transportation News Feedback Survey
+ Current Funding Opportunities
+ Events and Training Opportunities
+ NHTSA Updates
+ Crash Responder Safety Awareness
+ Federal Funding Opportunity Resources
+ Federal Resource Guide
+ Save the Dates
+ CTC Contact Information
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TRIBAL TRANSPORTATION TRAINING
April 21 - 23, 2026
Citizen Potawatomi Nation Reunion Halls I Shawnee, Oklahoma
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This training is designed to equip Tribal leaders, planners, and transportation professionals with the knowledge necessary to strengthen transportation infrastructure and to effectively manage, develop, and improve Tribal transportation programs. Tribal Transportation Training (TTT) 2026 will also foster collaboration and information exchange by providing valuable networking opportunities among Tribal and federal participants.
Participation in this year's training is offered at no cost to Tribal personnel, ensuring equitable access to critical professional development resources. TTT 2026 is hosted and coordinated by the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, Pawnee Nation, Cherokee Nation, Absentee Shawnee Tribe, and Cross Timbers Consulting.
Early registration is strongly encouraged to ensure accurate planning for meals and training materials. Participation is limited to 100 attendees.
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CHRISTIE MODLIN ELECTED NCAI RECORDING SECRETARY
On November 20, 2025, Christie Modlin was elected Recording Secretary for the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) during the 82nd Annual NCAI Convention. Modlin currently serves as the Secretary for the Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma. The NCAI is the oldest, largest, and most representative American Indian and Alaska Native organization serving the broad interests of tribal governments and communities.
In a statement on her LinkedIn page, Modlin wrote:
"I am deeply grateful for the trust and support that led to my election. Thank you to the voting members and Tribal delegates for electing me to serve as your [Recording] Secretary... I look forward to serving alongside you to continue NCAI's commitment to protecting and strengthening our sovereignty and advocating for our Tribal Nations."
Congratulations to Recording Secretary Modlin for achieving this significant honor.
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WEBINAR & FUNDING OPPORTUNITY: 2026 TRIBAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY PROGRAM SAFETY FUND
FHWA is now accepting applications for the 2026 Tribal Transportation Program Safety Fund (TTPSF). These competitive funds support projects that reduce transportation fatalities and serious injuries in Indian Country.
A webinar will be held on December 8, 2025, at 1:00 PM ET (10:00 AM PT) to review the funding opportunity and address questions. Information on the webinar can be found at https://highways.dot.gov/federal-lands/tribal/fhwa-ott-webinars.
KEY DETAILS
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Deadline: January 15, 2026 (Although 2025 awards have not yet been announced, no extension to the 2026 deadline is expected.)
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Available Funding: Up to $25 million
- Average Award: $450,000 (historically largest awards are $1.6 million)
- Eligible projects include: safety plans and updates; safety data improvement and analysis including systemic safety studies and road safety audits; roadway departure countermeasures (signing, markings, rumble strips, hazard mitigation, guardrail); infrastructure safety improvements (roundabouts, pedestrian/bike separation, flattened slopes, skid-resistant surfaces, curve reconstruction, improved sight distance).
- Multiple applications allowed (submit a separate application for each project).
RESOURCES & CONTACTS
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TTP BRIDGE PROGRAM
DEADLINE: Any time during the year, federally recognized Indian Tribes may submit an application for eligible TTP bridges for planning, design, engineering, preconstruction, construction, and inspection of new or replacement bridges; replace, rehabilitate, seismically retrofit, paint, apply calcium magnesium acetate, sodium acetate/formate, or other environmentally acceptable, minimally corrosive anti-icing and deicing composition; or implement any countermeasure for TTP bridges classified as in poor condition, having a low load capacity, or needing highway geometric improvements, including multiple-pipe culverts.
DESCRIPTION: The TTP Bridge Program is focused on improving the number of TTP bridges in poor condition.
QUESTIONS? Contact Chris W. Riley, PE., Acting TTP Bridge Program Manager at chris.w.riley@dot.gov
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TRIBAL HIGH PRIORITY PROJECTS (HPP) PROGRAM
DEADLINE: Any time during the year, a Tribe can submit an application package for Tribal HPP Program funding. On January 31, the applications received will be reviewed for eligibility, evaluated, and ranked for funding. Applications submitted after January 31 will be collected for the next fiscal year funding cycle.
DESCRIPTION: This program is a nationwide priority program for: (1) An Indian Tribe or governmental subdivision of an Indian Tribe whose annual allocation of funding under the Tribal Transportation Program is insufficient to complete the highest priority project of the Indian Tribe or governmental subdivision of an Indian Tribe; or (2) Any Indian Tribe that has an emergency or disaster with respect to a transportation facility.
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WINTER WEATHER DRIVING
Whether it’s snow, sleet or ice, winter weather can cause extremely dangerous road conditions. In 2023, there were 320 fatal traffic crashes, and an estimated 22,293 injury crashes that occurred when there was snow/sleet conditions at the time of the crash.
Preparing yourself – and your vehicle – for winter weather is key. Don't forget to pack your emergency car kit! Click the image or link below for winter weather driving basics and a handy list of items to include in case of emergency.
More winter driving tips: NHTSA.gov/Winter-Driving-Tips
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CRASH RESPONDER SAFETY AWARENESS
Every minute of every day, law enforcement, fire and rescue, emergency medical services (EMS), public works, transportation, towing, and other responders work roadside to make roadways safe for all road users. These traffic incident responders put their lives at risk when clearing each of the nearly seven million annual police-reported motor vehicle crashes and the broader range of incidents such as stalled vehicles or roadway debris.
The FHWA wants to reminder drivers to pay attention to the simple steps everyone can take to keep roadway responders and the public safe around traffic incidents, and to stay alert for traffic incident responders.
For more information, visit https://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/tim/crash_responder.htm
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December 7 - 10 I National RTAP Conference
Hyatt Regency Austin I Austin, Texas I nationalrtap.org/News/Conference/2025-Austin
December 16 I OTTC Meeting I 10 AM - 11AM
ODOT I 200 NE 21st Street Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73105
December 16 I TAB Meeting I 11 AM - 12 PM
ODOT I 200 NE 21st Street Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73105
January 27 - 29, 2026 I Intertribal Transportation Association (ITA) Annual Meeting
OKANA Resort I Oklahoma City, Oklahoma I intertribaltransportation.org
March 24 - 25, 2026 I Native Land Conference
Mystic Lake Casino and Resort I Prior Lake, Minnesota I iltf.org/native-land-conference
April 21 - 23, 2026 I Tribal Transportation Training
CPN Reunion Halls I Shawnee, Oklahoma I tribaltransportationtraining.com
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