Heitkamp Announces Federal Investment for Turtle Mountain’s Jack Rabbit Road

U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp Thursday, December 6, announced $15 million in federal funds for the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians Reservation to rebuild approximately nine miles of the Jack Rabbit Road, as part of the second phase of reconstruction.

“The Jack Rabbit Road on Turtle Mountain is in desperate need to be rebuilt, so folks can get to where they need to go,” said Heitkamp. “In a geographically large state like North Dakota, transportation infrastructure is key to connecting rural communities so that folks can get to work and school and to keep local economies growing. Every time I meet with Turtle Mountain residents, whether it’s with a school group or the tribal council, it is made very clear that the Jack Rabbit Road must be rebuilt – and now more funds are available to make that possible. These federal funds will continue to support the efforts to bring this critical piece of transportation infrastructure back to working use.”

In March, Heitkamp announced $6 million in federal funding after she encouraged U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Chao to provide federal funding to rebuild Jack Rabbit Road. The initial federal funds went towards the reconstruction of about five miles of the road. Reconstruction will take place over four phases that will rebuild about 14.25 miles of Jack Rabbit Road.