Nebraska is slated to invest nearly $300 million for eight long-delayed highway projects and will begin design work on 12 others with the goal of finishing them all by 2033.
Gov. Pete Ricketts unveiled the project list Thursday at the Capitol. The projects will receive funding through a $450 million infrastructure package lawmakers approved in April.
The list includes the expansion of U.S. Highway 275 from two lanes to four, a major priority of business leaders in that area who lobbied for state funding. Construction will begin first between Scribner and West Point at a cost of $90 million. A stretch between West Point and Pilger is in the design phase.
Work will take place first on priority projects on Interstate 680, U.S. Highway 6 and U.S. Highway 75 in Omaha; Nebraska Highway 7 between Bassett and Springview; U.S. Highway 26 in Minatare; U.S. Highway 77 in Fremont; and U.S. Highway 83 between North Platte and McCook.
The four-lane expansion of U.S. Highway 81 from York to Columbus is among the second group of priority projects that will be designed but have not been scheduled for completion.
The roads package is intended to jump-start work on highway construction projects and dilapidated county bridges that have languished for years.
