Tribes in the Phoenix area are feeling pressure to allow their lands to be used for highway and freeway projects.

The growing population is putting a strain on existing highways so reservations are being eyed as alternatives. But some within the Gila River Indian Community, the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community and the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation are wary of opening their lands, traditionally used for farming, to more traffic.

The tribes are nonetheless working with surrounding communities to address transportation issues. Relations with local governments have improved since the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community shut down a highway in the 1980s and obtained a better deal for the use of their land.

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As need for roads grows, Valley looks to tribes to pave the way (The Arizona Republic 9/7)