Tuesday, Jul 26 2011 11:16AM

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has announced $15 million in federal funding will be made available for transportation projects in rural tribal areas.

The grants are being provided through the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) Tribal Transit Program, which provides funding for rural Native American and Alaska Native communities to be used for either operating expenses or the cost of new transportation projects.

In the past, grants for the Native American programs have been used for a variety of purposes, such as the purchase of more modern buses, increasing services for those in need or expanding public transportation to areas where it has not existed before.

"Public transportation gives those who live on tribal lands better access to jobs and health care, and provides an incentive for much-needed economic development," said Peter Rogoff, FTA administrator. "Affordable transit choice in our most rural communities helps families live healthier lives and keeps more of their paychecks in their pockets rather than spending them at the gas pump."

The deadline to submit proposals is September 26.

Elevated prices for gasoline have impacted households nationwide over the past several months. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, as of July 25, the nationwide average price of a gallon of gasoline was $3.70, up nearly $1 from a year ago.