BRAGGS, Okla. – Cherokee Nation and Muskogee County officials cut the ribbon on a one-mile section of newly paved road in Braggs on Sept. 30.
Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. and Deputy Principal Chief Bryan Warner met with Muskogee County Commissioner Ken Doke and District 5 Tribal Councilor E.O. Smith to celebrate the project’s completion.
“It’s wonderful to see this project completed,” Chief Hoskin said. “The safety of the people who live within our 14-county area is most important, and partnerships like these continue to show how, together, we can improve infrastructure for Cherokee citizens and non-citizens who live in this area.”
Cherokee Nation contributed $92,644 to the project, which consisted of repairing roadway base issues and added a 2-inch asphalt overlay for the one-mile section of South 95th Street. The road was also painted with yellow lines to divide traffic, which makes it safer to drive at night.
“We were happy to help contribute to this project,” Councilor Smith said. “Without proper pavement, you run the risk of hurting yourself or damaging your car. These improvements will benefit the people of Braggs for years to come.”
The road serves the South Bethel Cemetery and is also a school bus route. The project took three months to complete.
“This is a major improvement for the people in Braggs,” said Muskogee Commissioner Ken Doke. “The Cherokee Nation has been a great partner of ours and they continue to help us make improvements over here. We’re very appreciative of that relationship with Cherokee Nation and everything they’ve done for us.”
Each year the tribe sets aside funding for road projects throughout the 14-county area.